FORT SILL, Okla. -- Fort Sill Fire and Emergency Services will hold its annual fire prevention week Oct. 6-11. The weeklong event is designed to teach children the importance of fire safety and prevention.

The theme is "Working smoke alarms save lives." Emphasis will be placed on the life-saving impact of having working smoke alarms and remembering to test them each month.

"The importance of the event is to educate, to start fire safety education at a young age and hope that it carries over into their adulthood," said Bobby Klein, assistant chief of training, "and, they (the children) can pass that information on to their parents as well."

Demonstrations, teaching opportunities and activities will be hosted at the Armed Services YMCA, Child Development centers, Geronimo Road and Sheridan Road elementary schools, and the Fort Sill Main Exchange.

Monday Oct. 6,

9-11 a.m

Sparky, the automated fire dog will be at the Armed Services YMCA to teach about fire prevention and help kids learn what to do in the event of a fire. Fire inspectors from the department will be on hand to answer questions and give demonstrations. They will have training materials and other giveaways.

Tuesday Oct. 7,

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Child Development centers will feature a firetruck and smoke house. The fire prevention team will lead children through the smoke house and give them the opportunity for a hands-on experience with the fire engine. They will also teach lessons in fire safety and prevention.

Wednesday Oct. 8,

9 a.m. to noon.

The fire prevention team will be at Geronimo Road Elementary School. Grades Pre-K through second will get their turn at the smoke house and learn about fire safety guidelines. Third through fifth grades will be treated to a fire safety rodeo, horse drag, Sparky mallet, and stop, drop and roll presentations. There will also be a Stryker combat vehicle on display.

Thursday Oct. 9,

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A fire prevention team will visit Sheridan Road Elementary School. Students will learn about prevention and safety and complete the smoke house exercise. They will also have a chance to interact with the fire engine.

Friday Oct. 10,

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sparky will be at the Main Exchange to give demonstrations, hand out materials and hold smoke house drills. They will also have plenty of giveaways for the children.

While this event is geared toward the younger crowd, Klein encourages parents to participate with their children.

He said anything parents can do to help reinforce the material and make it stick with their children should help create lifelong safety habits. The fire prevention team also suggests parents play with their children at the events and participate in the stop, drop and roll.

"Fire safety is someting that benefits the entire family," said Klein.