Fire Prevention Week In Newtown

Schools throughout Newtown will bring fire companies to school this month to teach students about Fire Prevention. National Fire Prevention Week was October 2-13, which provides fire dos and don’ts for the students.

Local firefighters spend time teaching the students about fire prevention and things that they should know in case they are ever in danger. Some of those skills include Stop, Drop, and Roll, and 911. The firefighters also refreshed the students’ minds about good fire and bad fire.

The firefighters dressed in their gear to show the students that there is nothing to be afraid of when the fire department comes to their homes. The students were reminded never to run and hide from a firefighter in an emergency.

The Fairfield County Safe Kids Coalition reminds families to keep matches, lighters, and other heat sources out of children’s reach. Children are naturally curious. Playing with matches and lighters is the leading cause of fire death for children ages five and under. Remove anything too close to a fireplace, heater, or radiator, such as clothing, furniture, newspapers, or magazines. Secure all portable heaters. Avoid plugging several appliance cords into the same electrical socket. Replace old or frayed electrical wires and appliance cords, and keep them on top of rugs. Store all flammable liquids such as gasoline outside of the home. Keep furniture and other heavy objects out of the way of doors and windows.

Families are also encouraged to plan ahead to be prepared for an emergency situation if one arises. Advanced planning recommendations include buying and installing smoke alarms on every level of the home and in every sleeping area. Consider installing both ionization alarms — better at sensing flaming fires – and photoelectric alarms, which sense slow, smoky fires. Test and maintain smoke alarms regularly. Test the alarms each month and replace batteries at least once a year; many people do this when daylight savings time begins or ends. Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.

Plan and practice two escape routes out of the house and each room. Once outside the house or apartment, all members of the family should meet at a designated spot to make sure all members are accounted for quickly.

The firefighters also told students if there is ever a fire at their house that they should touch doors before opening them to see if they are hot. If they are hot, the doors should not be used and another escape route found. The children were also told to crawl low under smoke and to never go back into a burning home.