Fire departments offer safety tips

Get ready to stop, drop, and roll, because the Seaford and Wantagh fire departments will be hosting their annual open houses this month.

October is Fire Prevention Month and the Seaford Fire Department will also hold an open house this coming Sunday.

The event will start at 10 a.m. at the firehouse at 2170 Southard Ave. in Seaford and include free giveaways, a lesson on how to use a fire extinguisher, as well as barbecue safety tips.

“It’s fire prevention week for the community,” Seaford Fire Department Assistant Chief Michael Bellissimo said. “So it’s a good way for children to come down and learn about fire safety.”

The department will even demonstrate how to evacuate people from a real bedroom fire.

“It’s educational and brings everyone together,” added Bellissimo. “It’s great awareness for children, and if they can walk away with something new, then I am grateful.”

The department even offers an Explorers Program for teens ages 14 through 18, to learn more about being a firefighter and gear them toward being a volunteer member once they are of age.

“With free information, giveaways, and even smoke detectors, everyone can get something out of it,” Bellissimo said.

Starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, the Wantagh Fire Department at 3470 Park Ave. in Wantagh will present demonstrations on various procedures such as putting out stove and barbecue fires, teaching children how to stop, drop and roll, and how to use the Hurst Tool, or “jaws of life,” used in vehicle extrication.

The event will also offer free blood pressure screenings, CPR and first-aid training, and a “smoke house,” that will be used to present home evacuation drills.

Along with the women and men of the fire department, members of the Underwater Search and Rescue Team and Hazardous Materials Unit will also be in attendance, presenting information on procedures and equipment in their specialized fields.

“The main purpose of this open house is to educate the public about fire safety,” said Harry Loud, spokesman for the department. “We would hope that the event would assist the public in case of an actual fire and impact the community in a positive way.”

Children will also have the opportunity to shoot water from a fire hose and talk to Furball, the department robot.

The Wantagh Fire Department is also hoping to have the New York State Police come to the event and provide an accident simulator. The simulator would demonstrate the effects of not wearing a seatbelt when in a car accident.

“It’s just an event where the community can come and see what their local volunteers do 24/7,” Loud said.

Other information regarding firefighter and fire medic membership opportunities, as well as facts on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, will be available for all attendees.

The open houses are an opportunity for the firefighters in the community to teach children the dangers associated with fires and help “extinguish” dangerous situations from happening.