The North Bend Fire Department’s annual Fire Prevention Month Open House will be held on Friday, October 11, 2019 from 5 pm to 8 pm at the department’s main fire station located at 1880 McPherson Street in North Bend. The annual event features free hot dogs, chips, soda pop and ice cream, in addition to face painting and antique fire truck rides. A big hit each year is also the “Jump for Fun” children’s “blow up” slide and obstacle course. The 2019 “Miss Flame” court will be on hand to assist in providing fire and life safety handouts, along with “Sparky the Fire Dog.” For the little kiddies, free plastic fire helmets will also be free for the taking. This year’s national fire prevention month theme is: “Not every hero wears a cape, Plan and Practice Your Escape!” The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in adopting the theme for this year, is emphasizing that planning and practice can make the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy. The NFPA stresses the importance of: • Each family drawing a map of their house showing two ways out from each room. • Practicing home fire escape drills at least twice a year. • Teaching children how to escape on their own if necessary. • Making sure the house has clearly marked addresses. • Making sure the house has working smoke detectors on all levels and in all bedrooms. • Closing doors behind you as you leave during a fire to slow its pread. • Staying outside once outside. For more information about this year’s open house or for more fire and life safety information, members of the public may call the North Bend Fire Department at 541-756-7757.