Festival makes fire safety education fun in Sylvania

Sparky, an animatronic dog, greets children as they say approach Saturday during the first Fire Safety Festival at Sylvania Township Fire Department to celebrate the end of National Fire Prevention Week. ZACK CONKLE/THE BLADE Enlarge | Buy This Photo

To help make it fun and to drive home the message of fire safety, the Sylvania Township Fire Department hosted a Fire Safety Festival today for residents.

The festival had educational activities and advice for students, on learning the importance of fire escape planning. The concept of preventing fires in the home was emphasized at the event.

It was part of national Fire Prevention Week, which ends today. The theme of the week was "Have Two Ways Out!", meaning having an escape plan for two escape routes from a burning house.

PHOTO GALLERY: Fire Safety Festival

Many local business sponsors donated bicycles and helmets for the festival and those were given away to students during the event.

Held at Fire Station No. 4, at 8210 Sylvania Ave., Moe the Fire Clown, a fire safety education house and stop, drop and roll stations entertained local students.

The fire problem is significant. In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.

For more information about fire prevention programs with the department, call 419-882-7676, or email PR@sylvaniatownshipfire.com.