GROVES — Kysen Bass knows what to do in case of a fire.

Bass, 5, of Groves, recently saw a demonstration on fire safety put on by members of Groves Fire Department.

“He came home and told me what to do in case of a fire,” mom Shannon Sonnier said. “I was impressed. He told me about crawling on the floor because the smoke makes a tunnel and how to use the back of your hand to feel if a door is hot. And he asked where our outside meeting place is.”

Bass took a turn using a fire hose with the assistance of a Groves firefighter during the department’s open house on Wednesday.

Miguel Alvarez, 9, also took a turn spraying a fire hose in front of the fire station located at 6150 Short St., in Groves.

Alvarez, along with sister Lupe Alvarez, 4, attended the event with mom Leighann Frederick and dad Tommy Alvarez.

Several fire engines were available for children to tour as well as an ambulance.

Ryan Pham, 9, of Groves climbed into one of the fire trucks and took a quick look around. Pham, who was there with his mom, Carol Sassine, said he wants to be either a police officer or a fire fighter when he grows up.

Groves Fire Department held the open house in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week which runs form Oct. 4 through Oct. 10. The department has visited area schools and day cares presenting fire prevention education programs this week.

The fire prevention theme for this year is “Hear The Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm.”

GFD Chief Dale Jackson said basic protection can help save lives and prevent injuries in the home whenever a fire occurs. Plan two ways to get out of each room in the home, establish an outside meeting place where every family member will meet, install smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area and test the detector at least once a month for proper operation.

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