Fairbury Rural Fire Department promoting fire safety across the city, county this week

FAIRBURY - This week is Fire Safety Week in the U.S., and many fire departments across the country are teaching fire prevention to the young and old.

The Fairbury Rural Fire Department has been doing just that, traveling around the city of Fairbury and giving numerous safety demonstrations.

Chris Parker is the department's fire prevention coordinator. He said this year's theme is 'not every hero wears a cape - plan and practice your escape.'

"Kids can actually be the heroes by sitting down with their parents and planning an escape route," Parker said. "Draw up a simple house plan, show the exits. The big thing we're stressing is meeting places. A mailbox, a neighbor's house, something."

Fairbury Rural Fire has already made stops at Central Elementary, Jefferson Intermediate, Region V and the Fairbury Gardens retirement home this week. The department also had a coloring contest earlier this month, and have given contest winners  a ride to school in a fire truck.

On Wednesday, the department held a special demonstration at the fire hall for all home-schooled students and their parents in Jefferson County.

On Monday, the department received 40 new Drager self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA). Firefighters have been showing them off to students this week, encouraging them not to be afraid if and when they see a firefighter wearing such gear.

Parker said the department has also stressed the importance of smoke detectors. It's recommended to check detectors' batteries once a month. It's also recommended that you replace a smoke detector once every 10 years.

With colder weather starting to settle in, Parker said he's planning safety demonstrations on turkey friers and space heaters. Back in January, three house fires ignited in Fairbury in less than a week. All three were started due to faulty space heaters.

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