It’s Fire Prevention Week, and this weekend, local firefighters are opening their doors to the public to help people understand fire safety.

The Albert Lea Fire Department will host an open house Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the fire station.

The firefighters will have numerous displays and demonstrations of equipment. In Sparky’s Fire Safety House they’ll be able to show everyone home fire escape and safety practices. Sparky the fire dog will also be there to meet and greet everyone.

It’s all an effort to raise awareness and reduce the numbers of fires. All year long, our local firefighters work proactively, building local relationships and taking the message of fire safety to the grassroots level.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety states that public education is the best tool with which to fight the fires that take 50 lives per year and cost $150 million in property damage in Minnesota.

The state fire marshal estimates that 87 percent of fires in the state result from carelessness or lack of awareness.

The state fire marshal states that the trend in fire deaths is coming down in Minnesota, and that’s thanks to the continuing efforts on the local level to educate &045; starting at a very young age &045; about the dangers of fire and how to prevent them and escape from them.

We applaud the efforts of our local firefighters &045; not just during Fire Prevention Week, but all year long.