Stop, drop and roll.

Students from University Heights Charter School learned those three life-saving words Wednesday as they helped kick off Fire Prevention Month in Newark.

Donning red plastic fire helmets, nearly 20 second graders from Philippa Sutherland and Toni Tagliareni's class enjoyed a visit from "Sparky," Newark's fire prevention dog who demonstrated the three-step technique at Engine 7 Company Headquarters.

"The reality is a fire can happen at any time," said Battalion Chief Raul Malave. "If we don't have a plan … bad things can happen."

Fire Prevention Month was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire and Great Peshtigo Fire, both of which occurred on Oct. 8, 1871, said Malave, who served as master of ceremonies during the roughly one-hour event at the West Market Street firehouse.

Newark will host Firehouse Community Days from 1-4 p.m. every Saturday in October where residents can learn fire safety tips like how to use a fire hose and extinguisher. Newarkers can also meet local firemen and tour the firehouse at the weekly event, which will be held in each ward. A limited number of smoke detectors will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We always do it big because we're the largest fire department in the state of New Jersey," said Fire Director Fateen Ziyad.

Students can also participate in the Newark Fire Department's Annual Fire Prevention Month Poster Contest. This year's theme is how to protect your family from fire. Winners will be announced late January or early February 2012.

Fire Chief John Centanni imparted invaluable fire safety and prevention tips before the event, which featured an appearance by Mayor Cory Booker, wrapped up:

• Get low and go if a fire breaks out in your home
• Have a plan in case of a fire emergency. Know how to exit your home and where you and your family will meet outside.
• Matches are tools, not toys and lit candles can be dangerous.
• Make sure the batteries in your smoke detectors are fresh. Centanni recommended changing them twice a year, on Daylight Saving Time.

Firehouse Community Days will be held on the following dates from 1-4 p.m.:

• Oct. 1, East Ward: Engine 5 (65 Congress St.)
• Oct. 8, Central Ward: Engine 7 (241 W. Market St.)
• Oct. 15, North Ward: Engine 13 Ladder 6 (714-718 Mt. Prospect Ave.)
• Oct. 22, South Ward: Engine 10 Ladder 5 (360 Clinton Ave.)
• Oct. 29, West Ward: Engine 26 Ladder 12 (420-438 Sanford Ave.)