Winnetka's Fire and Police departments open their doors to the public Saturday, Oct. 10. The annual Public Safety Open House runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 410 Green Bay Road, the shared headquarters of both departments.

The Village of Winnetka announced the event in a civic alert posted Tuesday, Sept. 29. Visitors can see vehicles and equipment up close, watch live demonstrations and pick up safety tips. No specific demonstration lineup for the Oct. 10 event has been published, and the alert does not say whether registration is required.

The open house is a longstanding tradition. On Oct. 12, 2019, the Winnetka Police Department posted on X that the event included tours, demonstrations and crafts.

Fire Prevention Week tie-in

The open house falls on the final day of Fire Prevention Week 2026, which runs Sunday, Oct. 4, through Saturday, Oct. 10. The National Fire Protection Association built this year's campaign around lithium-ion battery safety under the theme "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower!"

"Our goal for this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign is to help people make informed choices and practice simple habits that can help greatly reduce those risks," Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy, said in a Sept. 23 press release. The NFPA noted that many people are not yet aware of the dangers lithium-ion batteries can pose when charged improperly.

Fire Prevention Week is the oldest public health observance in the United States, with more than 100 years of history, according to the NFPA.

The village's civic alert is available on the Village of Winnetka website. Residents looking for more information about Fire Prevention Week resources can visit nfpa.org.