Tulsa Fire Department puts on "Tips and Treats" event to provide safety and fun this Halloween season

TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Fire Department put on its 9th annual Tips and Treats event, bringing safety and fun together for the Halloween season.

"As you can see, people are just pouring and pouring in. I'm overwhelmed with so much joy of how many people come and support this cause," said Jeremy Jackson, the organizer of Tips and Treats and a firefighter EMT with TFD. "Just all of our vendors and everybody coming together to see what we do and us having some time to spend one on one with the community, teach them about fire safety, teach them the importance of checking smoke detectors and also having a safe plan, an exit plan, leaving the house in case there's a fire."

Tips and Treats aims to be a safe place where kids can have fun and trick or treat while also learning about fire safety.

Another main element of the event is allowing firefighters to connect with the community.

"This is what the Tulsa Fire Department is all about. This is part of our mission. It's to teach and educate the community on fire safety and just safety all around, right? So when we get them out here, get them in front of us, that gives an opportunity to be able to talk to them and connect with the families in a different way to what we normally do when they call 911."

Besides safety tips, this year's Tips and Treats had candy, goodie bags, a bounce house, horseback riding, fun music and free food.

Jackson said he's ready to do it all again next year.

"Year 10 is coming up next. It's going to be a bigger and better year. [That's] our plan and hopefully we get some more people out here and teach folks about fire safety."