LA Fire Station #104 - Canoga Park050

It's never too soon to start teaching your children about fire safety, and the Los Angeles Fire Department is more than willing to help.

Firefighters regularly host school groups, and appear at neighborhood fairs; they've even been known to make surprise visits to local playgrounds to meet the children and give rides on the hook-and-ladder truck.

Another great way to give your toddlers a thrill they'll remember for months - and teach them some important lessons - is by visiting your local fire station. As firefighters are quick to point out, they exist through our tax dollars, and part of their service is to show kids around the station, and maybe help younger children deal with some fears they might have about fire.

Just shaking hands with a firefighter is excitement enough for the average three-year-old, but the firefighters - if they can - will also give free tours, answer questions, and demonstrate equipment to small groups of children, when accompanied by an adult.

A few pointers: Call first! Of course firefighters can't possibly predict when they'll be called to a fire, but they'll appreciate the gesture anyway, and sometimes there is a good reason why it's not the best day for a visit.

Be sure to tell your kids what firefighters do, and why speed can be so important to the job. Urge them to show respect to these hardworking heroes by using all their best manners, and - here's the most important one - by getting out of the way, quickly and quietly, if that alarm bell starts ringing during your visit!