The Wichita Fire Department and the Sedgwick County Fire Department have activities scheduled this week in connection with Fire Prevention Week, October 3rd through the 9th.

The theme for this year’s program is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.”    Sedgwick County Fire Marshal Dan Wegner said many people were working or attending school from home last year during the COVID-19 pandemic and if they called 911, dispatchers would hear alarms going off in the background.   The focus of Fire Prevention Week is to educate people on the meaning of the different sounds an alarm can make.    Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow says everyone in the home should understand the sounds and know how to respond.

·         A continuous set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.

·         A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.

·         All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.

·         Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.

·         Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

Wichita and Sedgwick County firefighters have several activities planned during the week.  The schedule includes a Safety Event at Naftzger Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 7th.

Fire Prevention Week is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association.