Five-alarm pizza

DIXON - Firefighters navigated Engine 6 down narrow residential streets Wednesday night not to put out fires, but to prevent them. They gave away a few free pizzas, too. During Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, firefighters are following local pizza delivery drivers as they hand out pies. Customers with working smoke detectors on all levels of their homes can score a $10 gift certificate, good for their next pizza. Those without working detectors get free 9-volt batteries and, if needed, a new smoke detector. Wednesday night, Capt. Mark Callison and firefighter Andy Fassler followed a driver from Maria's Pizzeria, four gift certificates at the ready. "We jump out; we go, 'Surprise!'" Fassler said as the 40-foot engine pulled up to the first customer's house. Brent Bonnewell said he wasn't sure what to expect when he saw the engine pull up behind the driver. He was eager to invite firefighters in after Callison explained the gig. Bonnewell earned a gift certificate after successfully setting off all three smoke detectors in his home. "Yeah, I check the smoke detectors. I mean, I knew they were there," Bonnewell said. "I was hoping they all worked." The fire engine caught homeowners Melissa Steck and Jason Bird off guard as well. "I'm like, 'Honey, I think our house is on fire,'" Bird said. One of their detectors worked, another needed new batteries and the basement lacked a detector. They didn't earn a free pizza, but they got a new smoke detector and the kids got to climb aboard the fire engine. "Just don't take off driving, whatever you do," Callison said. "Careful; it rolls pretty easy." After visiting seven houses, he and Fassler gave away three gift certificates Wednesday. The department also gave away four Monday night, and three Tuesday night. They plan to give away 13 more between tonight and Saturday. Fire safety checklist Is your home a fire hazard? The National Fire Protection Association suggests running through this list to identify problem areas. - Electrical cords are in good condition (not damaged). - Appliances and lights are plugged into separate electrical outlets. - All smoke alarms work. - All escape routes are clear of clutter and easily accessible. - Curtains and other things that can burn are away from the stovetop. - Portable space heaters are off when the family goes to sleep. - Portable space heaters are 3 feet away from anything that can burn. - All extension cords are used safely (not under carpets or across walking areas). - The clothes dryer has a clean vent and filter (no lint buildup). - The furnace has been inspected in the past year. - The chimney has been inspected and cleaned in the past year. - An adult always stays in the kitchen whenever food is cooking on the stovetop.