Herts fire station opens doors to public for festive fire awareness
A fire station in Hertfordshire is welcoming the public for the final day of its huge Christmas display
For the tenth year running, Royston Fire Station has opened its doors to the public for a festive way of teaching fire safety essentials.
The fire station is decorated within, with a giant inflatable Santa Claus greeting visitors upon arrival.
Once inside the station, members of the public are submerged by a festive atmosphere with hundreds of lights, music, life-size displays, with a special guest appearance.
Santa Claus is there to meet the visitors, give them wise words of advice, and offer children a sweet treat.
The aim is to teach adults and children the top tips and tricks to avoid fires all year long, and particularly around Christmas.
Firefighter Rob Fortune said: "Road safety we do as well, railway safety, cooking safety."
"All our displays have all got signs on them and albeit they're giving you a festive message, they're giving you a message about fire safety as well."
"...firefighters go around the displays so we can take people's names and addresses and come in and fit a free smoke alarm."
For their big event last Monday, December 4th, thousands of people turned up.
Since then, the brigade has been hosting school visits, including special educational needs classes.
Firefighters treasure the opportunity to inform the public of the vital tricks that can save their lives not only this Christmas, but throughout the year.
"All our displays give you the information that you need", added Mr Fortune.
He said: "We have leaflets, videos, and firefighters go around the displays so we can take people's names and addresses and come in and fit a free smoke alarm."
The festive event however does not take away from the primary role of firefighters, with two trucks and crews ready to go if a call comes through.
All firefighters hosting the tours are offering up their free time to support the community.