Columbia firefighters kick off fire prevention week

Sunday marked the first day of Fire Prevention Week.

The Columbia Fire Department and Columbia Professional Firefighters kicked off the week with an event at the Columbia Mall. It lasted from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Columbia police, the Red Cross, Safe Kids Coalition and Firehouse Subs also took part in the event.

Firefighters gave out about 200 smoke alarms to members of the public and held a live fire sprinkler demonstration.

“This year’s event is all about hearing the beep where you sleep by having working smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside in the hallways and then also in your function areas,” Columbia Fire Department Assistant Fire Marshal Kyle Edwards said.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation gave a donation of nearly $15,500 to the Columbia Fire Department at the event.