ALPHA Fire Company's Annual Open House.

The volunteers of the Alpha Fire Company will be holding their annual Open House on Sunday, October 15^th.  The Open House will be from noon until 4:00 P.M. at the main station (400 West Beaver Avenue, State College) and will close out this years National Fire Prevention Week (October 7-14).

The theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week is, "Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat" focusing attention on the dangers associated with cooking in the home.  According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), three in ten reported home fires started in the kitchen.  In 2003 (the most recent year available),  about 118,700 of all reported home fires involved cooking equipment, injuring 3,880 and killing 250 civilians nationally and causing $512 million in property damage.  The NFPA estimates an additional 12,344,000 unreported home cooking fires in 2003 leading to 642,000 additional cases of injury or illness.

This year's Open House will feature fire engine rides, tower rides, motor vehicle rescue demonstrations, Penn State's Haz-Mat Team, the Center Region Council of Government's Fire Safety trailer, fire extinguisher training, and fire station tours, along with offering myriad of fire prevention material.

For further information on the NFPA and Fire Prevention week: