October is Fire Prevention Month, and the Ames Fire Department is helping residents think about what they can do to keep themselves, their families, and their homes safe.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Fire Department Commander Brad Jerkins and Eric Deters to talk about Fire Prevention Week, seasonal fire safety, and one of the department’s biggest community events of the year, the annual Fire Station Open House.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower!” focuses on the growing number of rechargeable devices in our homes. Brad and Eric discuss safe charging habits, choosing the right chargers, recognizing warning signs from batteries and devices, and some of the common mistakes that can create a fire risk.

The conversation also goes beyond batteries and charging. Bill, Brad, and Eric talk about seasonal fire risks, smoke alarms, and the importance of having and practicing a home escape plan so everyone knows what to do when an alarm sounds.

Then, it’s time to get ready for the Ames Fire Department’s annual Fire Station Open House. This year’s event is Saturday, Oct. 10, at Fire Station No. 1, 1300 Burnett Ave. A sensory-friendly hour will be held from 8 to 9 a.m., followed by general admission from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.

Visitors can tour fire trucks, meet Ames firefighters, watch safety demonstrations, spray a fire hose, play fire safety games, and meet a couple of familiar fire safety friends, including Freddie the fire truck and Sparky the dog. Brad and Eric also explain why the sensory-friendly hour is an important part of making the event welcoming and accessible to more members of the community.

And October means Ames firefighters will be heading into local elementary schools for fire prevention education. There’s even a second-grade coloring contest with a pretty impressive grand prize: an Ames Fire Department T-shirt and a ride to school on a fire truck. That’s some serious second-grade bragging rights.

In this episode:

• This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme and why safe charging matters

• Safe practices for charging phones, tablets, tools, and other devices

• Warning signs of a damaged or overheating battery

• Common charging mistakes that can increase fire risk

• Seasonal fire prevention reminders

• Smoke alarm safety and home escape planning

• What to expect at the annual Fire Station Open House

• The sensory-friendly hour and why it’s offered

• Firefighters’ visits to Ames elementary schools

• The second-grade fire prevention coloring contest

• And, of course, the Ames in Focus lightning round

Fire prevention starts with everyday decisions, whether that’s safely charging a device, checking a smoke alarm, practicing an escape plan, or simply knowing what to watch for around your home.

Join the Ames Fire Department for the Fire Station Open House on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Fire Station No. 1, 1300 Burnett Ave. The sensory-friendly hour is from 8 to 9 a.m., with general admission from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.