The Mount Joy Fire Department teamed up with State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote Fire Prevention Week, which was observed from Oct. 6 to 12. This year's theme was "Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You." Each year, the initiative aims to better educate the public about the importance of working smoke alarms.

Community members are encouraged to install smoke alarms in every bedroom of their house; outside each separate sleeping area, like in a hallway; and on each level, including the basement of the home. People should make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month by pushing the test button, and they must be replaced when they are 10 years old or do not respond when tested.

In addition, Craig Rothstein and Greg Sullade recently donated a toolkit of Fire Prevention Week resources to Mount Joy Fire Department. The kit includes activities and information for children and adults, providing age-appropriate messages about smoke alarms and other home fire safety and prevention resources.

Fire Prevention Week is celebrated throughout North America every October. For more than 100 years, the observance has aimed to educate people about the risk of home fires and ways to minimize them. Local fire departments, schools, and community organizations play a key role in bringing fire safety messages to their communities.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and this year's theme, visit http://www.fpw.org. Additional Fire Prevention Week resources for children, caregivers, and educators can be found at http://www.sparky.org and http://www.sparkyschoolhouse.org.