ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Next week is Fire Prevention Week and the Robins Fire Department has many events planned to try to make Team Robins members aware of how they can prevent fires.

Throughout the week fire-safety cards will be distributed at base entry gates, with gates and times of the distribution varying each day.

On Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Base Exchange a fire truck will be on display and firefighters will give handouts with the help of Sparky the Fire Dog.

Similar events are also planned for Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Bldg. 943, Child Development Center East, and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Base Restaurant; on Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Child Develop-ment Center West and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bldg. 2062, the flightline dining facility; and on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Base Restaurant.

Smokey the Bear will make appearances at some events. Smokey will also be at Bldg. 905 on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and at Bldg. 1555 on Thursday at 2 p.m.

The fire department is particularly stressing the importance of smoke alarms. All homes should have smoke alarms because most fires occur in the early morning hours when people are asleep. People may be overcome by smoke before they awake.

People die in such cases most often because there was no smoke alarm to begin with or the batteries had not been replaced.

All smoke alarms, whether battery-operated or hardwired, should be tested at least once a month. Batteries should be replaced every six months. A good way to remember it is to change the batteries during each daylight savings time change.

For more information about fire prevention, call 926-2145.