PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – South Dakota’s Fire Marshal encourages the public to spend a little more time this next week thinking about fire safety .

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 3-9. This year’s theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” and is designed to educate citizens, especially children, about the different sounds that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make.

“Those alarms can be one of the first signs indicating that you and your family may be in danger,” said Fire Marshal Paul Merriman. “Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep you and your family safe. When an alarm makes a noise, such as a beeping sound or chirping sound, you must take action.”

Firefighters use the week to educate the public, especially children, about how to safely get out of homes during a fire and the importance of making sure there are working batteries in smoke alarms on all floors of the home.

For more on this year’s theme, click onto www.firepreventionweek.org.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.