October is National Fire Prevention Month. The aim of the month is to raise awareness of fire safety and fire prevention.

Area fire departments have planned a number of activities in observance of the month.

On Saturday, the Coal Grove Fire Department will have its annual Safety Day. An estimated 500 to 600 people will watch the 10 a.m. parade from the old Cold Spot building to the board of education field next to the outdoor basketball courts on High Street.

Immediately following the parade there will be numerous exhibits and activities, including a car crash extrication and a kids’ firefighter challenge.

“They’ve got to run through an obstacle course, drag a fire hose, drag a dummy and they have to hook u the hose to a fire hydrant. It’s a real hydrant we have mounted on a stand,” Coal Grove Volunteer Fire Department Safety Officer Jay Sherman explained. “We will also have Big Wheel races.”

The Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization will give away smoke alarms. There will also be free food and drinks.

Sherman said several area fire departments and other emergency services agencies will participate in the Safety Day.

The Aid Township firefighters will visit Symmes Valley Elementary School and discuss fire safety and prevention.

“Typically they give out age appropriate fire safety items, (stickers, pencils, etc…) The firefighters give a short presentation and have a Q & A,” Aid Township Fire Chief Joe Justice said. “We have used the 911 call simulator when it’s available. We have a fire safety poster contest with the winners being submitted to the state fire marshal’s contest. We usually have a firefighter in full gear, (turnout gear and air pack) go to the kindergarten and first grade classes, and we take a truck for them to look at.”

The Rome Volunteer Fire Dept will visit Fairland Elementary Oct. 6 for its fire prevention presentation. Students will get to tour the department’s the smoke house as part of that presentation. Rome’s fire parade will be Oct. 17. The line up for the procession will be at the old Fairland High School.

Fire Department President George Barnett said the parade will end at the fairgrounds and will be followed by a cook out.

Anyone interested in being in the parade can contact Barnett at (304) 416-4030.