News Release Distributed 10/05/11

The LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse will host two fall-themed events called “Haunted LaHouse” Thursday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 29.

LaHouse, the high-performance demonstration house with sustainable landscape and gardens in Baton Rouge, will take on a Halloween theme to reveal the secrets of a safe and healthy home, said Diane Scimeca, LSU AgCenter healthy homes coordinator.

The fun, informative events are free and open to the public and will highlight the scary world of unnoticed dangers lurking around the home.

The Oct. 29 event – an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – will have expert guides on hand to explain features of LaHouse designed for safety, health and hazard protection, Scimeca said.

Participants will learn how to maintain healthy indoor air quality and the important benefits those efforts can bring to allergy and asthma sufferers.

Visitors also will have an opportunity to see the advantages of ‘universal design’ for all ages and stages of life. They can tour the house and grounds and are welcome to come with questions for the housing and landscape experts.

The Oct. 27 Haunted LaHouse event from 10 a.m-4:30 p.m. is geared toward first- through third-graders, Scimeca said.

Children will learn how to make their homes safer while having fun. Activities will include face painting, home safety activities and storytelling.

Haunted LaHouse participants also will be able to go through simulated smoke in the Baton Rouge Fire Department’s Interactive Mobile Fire Safety House. Children also will learn important fire safety rules that could save their lives.

Groups for Oct. 27 are asked to RSVP to Scimeca by email by Oct. 17.

The LaHouse Resource Center is located at 2858 Gourrier Avenue on the southwest edge of the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. It is across the street from the Alex Box Stadium and adjacent to the LSU golf course near Nicholson Drive.

For more information about the Haunted LaHouse events, contact LaHouse at 225-578-7913.