The second week in October is Fire Prevention and Public Safety Week: a perfect excuse to combine fun with learning life-saving basics.

As part of the program this year, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Department offered fingerprint IDs for children, the Middleburg Police turned their radar gun on some pretty fast baseball pitching, and the Fire Department invited visitors into a trailer that simulated a house full of smoke, where they could practice drop and crawl maneuvers.

At a 911 simulator, children practiced how to make emergency calls, and two medivac helicopters from AirCare and MedStar invited children to climb inside and check it out. Fire engine rides rounded out the day's activities.

"We had a small turnout, but the people stayed the whole day," said Rescue Chief Allie Love. "We plan to do this every year during National Fire Prevention and Public Safety Week."

A health care information day is planned during EMS Week, the third week in May.