This is Fire Prevention Week, and we urge people of all ages to heed our local firefighters’ message not just this week, but all year long.

Firefighters concentrate much of their efforts this week on children, teaching them habits which will hopefully stay with them their entire lives. But it doesn’t hurt for adults to think about fire safety as well.

Firefighters are urging us all to test our smoke alarms this week. Smoke alarms are the most effective early warning available for the home &045; but only if they work. Since being introduced in the 1970s, they have helped reduce the fire death rate by one half. Still, about 70 percent of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or with smoke alarms that aren’t working.

Smoke alarms are an inexpensive lifesaver, and one every family should invest in.

Families should also take the time to plan an exit from the home in case of fire. Tonight is Operation E.D.I.T.H. (Exit Drills in the Home), which urges families to practice getting out of the home and have a designated place outside to gather after leaving the home.

Firefighters will also show everyone home fire escape and safety practices as well as equipment at their open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Sparky the Fire Dog will be there to meet and greet everyone.

We urge everyone to take fire safety to heart and be prepared, not just this week, but every week of the year.