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Fire Prevention Week began Sunday, and is focusing its national campaign on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires. Pella Fire Chief Doug Van Gorkom says his department will spend the week visiting the elementary schools to discuss fire prevention and show the students some of the equipment firefighters use.

Van Gorkom adds that the week is also a good time for families to discuss what to do in case of a fire.

“The best time for a fire drill is in the middle of the night,” Van Gorkom says. “Set off the smoke detector and see if it even wakes your family up, because if that alarm won’t wake your family up, then one needs to be placed inside the bedroom and not out in a hallway.”

Other tips Van Gorkom offers are for residents to check the batteries in their smoke detectors and avoid some of the common causes of home fires, such as overloading electrical outlets and leaving candles burning when you’re out of the room.