October is Fire Prevention Month. More specifically, Fire Prevention Week runs from Sunday, October 8, to Saturday October 14, 2023. Traditionally, fire stations around the Twin Cities host open houses and other Fire Prevention month events. Announcements for these events begin trickling in during the early summer, but most events are announced in October. Check back often to see what’s been announced or follow the links to last year’s event to learn more.
2023 Fire Prevention Month Events
This is a great month to indulge your future firefighter’s love of big red engines, and the Twin Cities has some opportunities for you to do that. There are actually two fire-related museums in Minnesota and several stations offers open houses during the month. For related fun, check out our Touch-A-Truck Calendar.
Family Storytime: Special Guest Lake Johanna Fire Department
Shoreview Library, 4560 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126
Join Ramsey County Library & Lake Johanna Lake Fire Department for a special Fire Safety Storytime. Learn about fire safety, meet a firefighter, and explore a fire truck! Recommended for kids ages 2-5. Monday, September 25, 2023; 10:30am-11am and Tuesday, September 26, 2023; 6pm-6:30pm. Free. Drop in.
Shakopee Fire Department Open House
Fire Station 1, 2700 Vierling Drive E., Shakopee, Minnesota 55379
Explore the fire station and learn what the fire department is all about! Free food and refreshments while they last. Saturday, October 2, 2023; 5-7 p.m. FREE.
Fire Fighter Storytime at the North St. Paul Fire Department
North Saint Paul Fire Station, 2400 Margaret Street, North St. Paul, MNÂ 55109
Join Ramsey County Library & North St. Paul Fire Department for a special Fire Safety Storytime. Learn about fire safety, meet a firefighter, and explore a fire truck! Recommended for kids ages 2-5. Wednesday, October 4, 2023; 10:30am-11am. Free. Drop in.
Excelsior Fire District Open House: October
Fire Station #1, 24100 Smithtown Rd, Shorewood, MN 55331
Families can participate in activities, watch demonstrations, peruse displays. There will be opportunities for fire truck rides! Thursday, October 5, 2023; 5:30pm-8pm.
St. Anthony Fire Department Open House
St. Anthony Fire Station, 3505 Silver Lake Road, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Families can tour the fire trucks and the station and meet the firefighters. Other fun and educational activities include: safety booths; take-home activity for the kids; kitchen safety trailer, and an obstacle course. Saturday, October 7, 2023; 1-4 p.m. FREE.
Fridley Fire Open House
7071 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432
Learn about fire safety, meet firefighters, take a vehicle tour, and see the new fire station and firefighting equipment. Saturday, October 7, 2023; 10am-2pm.
Eden Prairie City-Wide Open House
Eden Prairie City Center, 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344
Drop by to discover exhibits and demos, and get an up-close and personal look at fire trucks and more. Saturday, October 7, 2023; 11 am.-2 pm.
Hastings Fire Department Open House
Hastings Fire Department, 115 5th St W, Hastings, MN 55033
Talk to firefighters and EMS personnel about fire safety, spray a fire hose, walk through a smoke house and more! Tuesday, October 10, 2023; 11 am.-2 pm. Free.
Minnetonka Open House
Central Fire Station, 14550 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, Minnesota 55345
Explore the Central Fire Station, go on a fire truck ride and view interactive demonstrations. Tuesday, October 10, 2023; 5pm-8pm. FREE. Drop in.
Eagan Fire Department Open House
Eagan Fire Station #2, 1001 Station Trail, Eagan, MN 55121
Join Eagan Firefighters for their Fire Prevention Week Open House. Families can meet firefighters, see fire trucks and learn about fire safety! Wednesday, October 11, 2023; 5pm-8pm. Free.
Burnsville Fire Department Open House
Fire Station No. 1, 1427 Newton Avenue, Burnsville, MN 55337
Tour fire engines and ambulances, meet firefighters and paramedics, and learn how to be safer in the kitchen. Thursday, October 12, 2023; 5:30-7pm.
Hopkins Fire Department Open House
Hopkins Fire Station, 101 17th Avenue S., Hopkins, MN 55343
The city hosts an annual Fire Prevention event open house that includes fire truck rides, hands-on demos and free food. Saturday, October 14, 2023; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Anoka-Champlin Fire Department Open House
275 Harrison Street, Anoka, MN 55303
Families can tour trucks, visit safety displays and get a tour of the station. Free. Drop In. Sunday, October 22, 2023, 12pm to 3pm.
Fire Station Tours Anytime
Many Fire Stations offer tours by appointment throughout the year. If you don’t see your local station on this list, you can call their non-emergency number to inquire about tours.
- Saint Paul: To schedule a free tour, choose a fire station from this list, call the Fire Captain of the station to arrange a tour time.
- Minnetonka: Tours can be scheduled through the public education specialists by calling 952.939.8331.
- Inver Grove Heights: Call the Fire Operations Supervisor at 651-450-4303 to book a 30-45 minute tour.
- St. Louis Park: Offers tours by appointment by calling 952-924-2595.
- Burnsville: Contact Fire Administration at 952-895-4570 to schedule a tour.
- Eden Prairie: Station tours can be scheduled most Mondays and Fridays during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Call the Fire Prevention Bureau 952-949-8556 at least a week in advance of all requests.
Museums Visit for Fire Prevention Month
Firefighters Hall and Museum
664 22nd Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55418 United States
Located in Northeast Minneapolis near Edison High School, this small interactive museum offers kids a chance to climb on fire engines and try on firefighter gear. Open the 2nd & 4th Saturdays in 2022. PLEASE call ahead to confirm.
Hinckley Fire Museum
106 Old Hwy 61 S, Hinckley, MN 55037
Located a little over an hour north of the Twin Cities, this museum memorializes the 1894 Hinckley Fire. But hurry, the museum is only open May through mid-October. Find current hours and admission here.
- Hinckley Fire Museum
7 Fire Prevention Month Activities To Do at Home
The good news is that, according to FEMA, children 14 and under are 50% less likely to die in a fire than the general population. The U.S. average over the last 10 years has only been 300-400 child deaths per year. I start there in hopes that I don’t add to your late-night worries. We have enough of those.
That said, according to Stanford Children’s Health, “Most child play related home fires begin in a bedroom or living room where children are left unattended. The majority of these fires are started by children playing with matches or lighters.” A little fire safety education can go a long way. We recommend starting with the list below:
- Earn a Junior Ranger Badge from the National Park Service. Print and complete a Wildland Fire: Junior Ranger Booklet to learn more about what wildland firefighters do. Complete the booklet to earn a virtual badge.
- Test Your Smoke Alarms: Let your kids press the button while you cover your ears.
- Check Off A Safety List: This is a good month to review the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Winter Safety Checklist: For Your Home as a family. Let your kids check things off as you finish the checklist.
- Screen Time Fire Safety Fun: The kids page of the National Fire Prevention Association is Sparky.org. It offers a variety of printable activities and lesson plans as well as videos games and other fun things to explore.
- Family Movie Night: Families with younger kids may enjoy Planes: Fire and Rescue.
- Read About It: Pick up some books about firefighters and fire safety at the library. We recommend for for Headstrong Hallie!: The Story of Hallie Morse Daggett, the First Female “Fire Guard” by local author Aimée Bissonette
- Activities from Pinterest: Check out these fun ideas we’ve gathered on Pinterest.
Watch A Fire Prevention Video
Your young firefighters can watch this video from the National Fire Protection Agency (“NFPA”) about the Great Chicago Fire anytime. It features author Lauren Tarshsis (of the “I survived” books)Â interviewing Casey Grant of the NFPA.
This article contains Bookshop.org affiliate links. Ee receive a portion of sales through Bookshop.