Local youngsters are learning the importance of fire safety this week during Fire Prevention Week.
The theme of this year’s educational week is “Protect Your Family From Fire,” and Jerry Jensen, International Falls fire and ambulance chief, stressed the importance of the issue.
“Kids feel secure when they know what to do if a fire happens,” he said.
To ensure that students are aware of the danger of fire and how it is important to be knowledgeable on what to do if one were to occur in their homes, they are visiting the fire hall to learn about meeting places, checking smoke alarms, and practicing fire drills at home.
“Does everyone know where they are supposed to meet if your house is on fire?” Jensen asked a group of first graders Tuesday.
Several hands shot into the air, however, there were some who admitted their family hadn’t established a meeting place.
Jensen encouraged students to go home and talk to their parents about where they would meet if there was a fire. He suggested a mailbox, the end of the driveway, or a light pole.
A meeting place doesn’t have to be far from the home, Jensen explained.
Students were able to watch three firefighters suit up and then shook their hands to feel more comfortable around them.
“These guys are your friends,” Jensen said of the firemen. “If you are stuck in your home during a fire, yell as loud as you can so the firefighters can find you.”
Jensen told The Journal that students visit the fire hall every year because repetition is key to teaching them about fire safety.
“We send fire hats home with the kids so the parents know their child was at the fire station and then they ask questions about what they learned,” he said. “The biggest thing is to check those smoke alarms and make sure they work. When parents see the fire hats come home, they’re usually reminded to check them.”
Jensen suggested a smoke alarm be installed in every bedroom, outside all sleeping areas, in hallways and on every level of the home.
He added that on top of checking for working smoke alarms, practicing fire drills at home and establishing a meeting location are also key factors in fire safety.
Jensen shared that when visiting his own grandchildren, who are 4 and 6 years old, he practiced a fire drill with them.
“I was impressed, they did such a great job,” Jensen said with a smile. “That tells me that fire education is paying off throughout the country. After one drill, my granddaughter was asking for more. It was a fun experience.”
Jensen encouraged parents or children who have any questions about fire safety in their home to call the fire station at 283-2929 and Jensen and his building official will do a safety inspection of the home and work with the family to develop a safe evacuation plan. He also added that the station can be contacted to install or check smoke detectors.
Checklist to make sure
a household escape
plan includes all the
elements to ensure
safety from fire:
• Draw up a map of your home. Show all doors and windows.
• Visit each room — find two ways out.
• All windows and doors should open easily. You should be able to use them to get outside.
• Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Push the test button to make sure each alarm is working.
• Make sure your house or building number can be seen from the street.
• Pick a meeting place outside. It should be in front of your home. Everyone will meet at the meeting place.
• Talk about your plan with everyone in your home.
• Learn the emergency phone number for your fire department.
• Practice your home fire escape drill.
