DIXFIELD — A small group of preschool children from the Ludden Library story time program enjoyed a tour and presentation on fire safety and prevention at the Dixfield Fire Department.

“I think the most important thing for kids of this age is that they get to know us and are not afraid of us,” Capt. Jason Hyde said.

One of the main messages Hyde gave during the presentation was it’s OK for them to be afraid but not to run and hide if they were in a house filled with smoke and fire.

He showed tools, including a thermal imaging camera. He had one mother, Delanna Garey, walk barefoot across the floor so the children could see the heated prints her feet made on the concrete floor.

Micah Cook, 5, was eager to try on the firefighter gear and sit inside the 1952 Mack firetruck. He came to the presentation dressed in his own fireman suit, complete with hat and boots.

Fire Prevention Week in Maine is Oct. 9-15.

Dixfield Fire Company and Peru Fire Company will host a fire prevention open house Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dixfield Fire Station.

Smokey Bear and Sparky the fire dog will be at the event, which will include fire extinguisher training and fire prevention games.

Also, Elsemore Dixfield Family Medicine will host a bear and doll clinic so young children can see their stuffed toys go through a medical checkup.

The Dixfield Fire Department also has a month of activities planned at the elementary and middle schools.

The department is hoping to have an event Oct. 31 so children from the middle school can experience being in a building filled with smoke and learn how to properly leave a building. The department will be using theater smoke to create a lifelike scenario.

“It’s important that people see what we are doing and it’s part of us giving back to the community,” Hyde said.

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