The Downers Grove Fire Department will open Station 105 to families on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for its annual Night at the Firehouse. A lights-only Silent Parade honoring those lost to fires follows two nights later on Friday, Oct. 9.

The two events anchor the village's observance of Fire Prevention Week, which runs Oct. 4–10.

Night at the Firehouse

Station 105, at 6701 Main St., hosts Night at the Firehouse from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 7. School-aged children and their families can tour the station, meet firefighters and try games and activities focused on fire safety, according to the village's announcement.

The department, led by Fire Chief Scott Spinazola, said the lineup includes a firefighter fashion show and a live fire demonstration to close the evening. Families are encouraged to bring cameras for photos with Sparky the Fire Dog and Freddy the Fire Engine.

Silent Parade

A multi-community Silent Parade will honor firefighters and civilians who have lost their lives to fires. The procession begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 in Hinsdale and moves west, ending at Route 53 in Lisle. Fire vehicles from several surrounding departments will participate.

Every truck will run lights only. No sirens.

In Downers Grove, residents can line Maple Avenue to watch the procession pass at approximately 7:15 p.m. The department asks spectators to hold a flashlight as the vehicles go by.

National theme

This year's Fire Prevention Week theme, set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower," according to FireRescue1. The campaign focuses on reducing lithium-ion battery fires through safer everyday charging habits.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of Oct. 9 to mark the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The NFPA calls it the longest-running public health observance in the country.