Open [Fire] House

The Abington Fire Company got Fire Prevention Week started last night, opening its doors to the public.

Abington fire fighters milled around the entrance to the Abington Fire Co. on Horace Avenue just before 6 p.m. About an hour later, the firehouse was filled with residents — many of them children and their parents.

The event was part of the national Fire Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Fire Prevention Association, which runs through Oct. 15. However, Abington Fire Co. Chief John Bothwell said open houses at Abington Fire Co. have been happening for more than 40 years.

“Each [fire company in Abington] has its own open house during the week,” Bothwell said, standing in front of a polished fire truck in the station... sidestepping children. “It’s really for the neighborhood. We send out flyers for the residents, and we teach fire education to the children.”

Several displays were set up, including a fire extinguisher display, and the Abington Fire Department's safety house, which helps children simulate navigating through a smoky house.

And, of course, the children were able to try on the fire fighters’ equipment and grab the controls of the fire trucks.

“Obviously the children are interested in the equipment,” Bothwell said jokingly.

Bothwell said that many of the elements of Fire Prevention Week boil down to common sense, but stressed the importance of having a family evacuation plan and a family meeting place. He added that families should practice their plans. 

The schedule for Fire Prevention Week in Abington is as follows:

• , Tuesday Oct. 11
• , Wednesday Oct. 12
• , Thursday Oct. 13
• , Friday Oct. 14

All of the open houses run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.