By Sallie Ross-Filgo

The month of October is fire prevention and awareness month.

This month, city fire crews will be visiting all the elementary schools to provide kids with hands-on practice of what to do if your clothes catch on fire, how to escape a burning building, dialing 911 for emergencies, and an introduction to some of the department’s apparatus and equipment.

So now is a good time to review fire safety plans with your family, check for working smoke detectors in your home, and establish a meeting area for your family in case of a fire.

Sallie Ross-Filgo works for the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department.