Learn about Fire Prevention Week, domestic violence and animal cruelty, flu season and the LawFit Challenge.

1. Health and Safety Podcast Oct. 6, 2010

2. Topics Oct. 6, 2010: Fire Prevention Week. Domestic violence and animal cruelty. Flu season. LawFitChallenge.

3. Fire Prevention Week “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!” Oct. 3-9: Fire Prevention Week. Week stresses the importance of smoke alarms and encourages everyone to take steps to update and maintain their home smoke alarm.

4. Fire Prevention Week Fire Prevention Week Open House, Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all Fairfax County fire stations. Nearly 3,000 people die in home fires each year. Two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working alarms.

5. Fire Prevention Week In 23 percent of home fire deaths, smoke alarms were present but did not sound. To learn more about fire prevention, visit www.firepreventionweek.org or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr.

6. K-9 Krawl5K Dog walk to increase awareness of domestic violence and the link to animal cruelty. Saturday, Oct. 16. Check in at 8:30 a.m.; walk begins at 9 a.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Call 703-814-7009 to register. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/

7. Flu Season Is Here An annual flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. Flu vaccine is available now in some local pharmacies. The cost may vary. The Fairfax County Health Department will also have flu vaccine available by the end of October in its five district offices.

8. Flu Season Is Here Although the World Health Organization has officially declared an end to the H1N1 pandemic, this does not mean that the H1N1 virus has gone away. Flu is a serious illness that can make even healthy children and adults sick.

9. Flu Season Is Here Who should get a vaccination: Everyone over six months of age, especially people who are at high risk such as young children; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease; and people 65 years and older.

10. Flu Season Is Here Follow these steps year-round to prevent the spread of germs: Wash your hands with soap and water often throughout the day. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands. Stay home from work or school when sick to avoid infecting others. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu

11. LawFitChallenge Oct. 14-16 at George Mason University Several Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputies will participate. Participants from all over the country compete in bench press, sit-ups, sit and reach, pull-ups, push-ups, a run and a work performance test.

12. Additional Information www.fairfaxcounty.gov www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency 9-1-1 – Emergency police, fire, medical. 703-691-2131 – Non-emergency.