(PITTSBURGH) October 5, 2012   Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced that the City will celebrate National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7 through Oct. 13., during which City firefighters will offer free home safety inspections and distribute free batteries for smoke detectors. The week's events will educate children and families about fire safety and invite residents to get a behind-the-scenes view of the job of a firefighter. Ravenstahl encourages residents to adopt the life-saving habit of the Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery program by replacing the batteries in their smoke detectors when they turn the clocks back on Nov. 4.

“The safety of our residents and families is our highest priority," Ravenstahl said. "This week, I encourage residents to replace the batteries in their smoke alarms, establish a two-ways-out escape plan and get to know their local firefighters. Our firefighters and public safety professionals are the best at what they do - saving lives - but we need residents to take the necessary steps to prevent fires, stay safe and know how to react in an emergency."

Fire Prevention Week will kick off this Sunday at Wilkinsburg's Fire Safety House, at the corner of Wallace and Center Streets, inviting children and families to visit the Fire Safety Trailer from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. The trailer, acquired when the City merged forces with the Borough of Wilkinsburg, provides residents of all ages the opportunity to learn how to react during an emergency. By simulating hazards in the home, the trailer uses theatre smoke to create a smoke-filled bedroom or home, allowing firefighters to instruct what to do when the smoke detector goes off and residents wake to find smoke in their room.

On Saturday, Oct. 13, residents are invited to Engine Three's open house, located at 1401 Penn Avenue in the Strip District from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where firefighters will demonstrate fire safety tips and prevention, and the Fire Safety Trailer will be available. Firefighters will also go door-to-door offering home safety inspections, distributing Energizer batteries for smoke detectors, and ensuring that all residents and families have detectors and escape plans.

Residents may request a smoke detector by calling the Mayor's 311 hotline, and can also request that a firefighter installs smoke detectors in their home at no charge.

For a list of home fire safety and prevention tips, click here.