Mt Laurel Fire Station Recognizes National Fire Safety Month with Important Tips
In honor of National Fire Safety Month, the Mt Laurel Fire Station visits schools, churches, and daycares in the Cahaba Valley area to educate kids on fire safety and prevention. Firefighters review fire safety tips, discuss fire escape plans, and demonstrate the step-by-step process of how firemen put on their suits, so children won’t be scared when seeing them in full gear.
“The most important takeaway for kids is to not play with fire, and that in the event of a house fire, to get out and stay out of the house,” says Christine Shores, head of educational programs for the Mt Laurel Fire Station. “And for parents, it’s having working fire detectors in every room of your home, including the attic and garage.”
This year’s theme for National Fire Safety month is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep,” to highlight the importance of having working fire alarms in every room, especially areas where you sleep. To further educate children and parents on fire safety, Shores offers a few additional tips:
- Once your child has been asleep for a while, test his/her response to fire alarms by setting them off, to see if they wake up and if they know what to do. Research has shown that kids often won’t wake up from fire alarms because they sleep much deeper than adults. If your child is sensitive to the sound of your voice, consider purchasing a fire alarm that can be programmed to alert them with your voice.
- Make sure you plan and practice an escape route, including a place to meet up outside of the house. Make sure your family’s meeting point is out of harm’s way, not where you could potentially block fire trucks from entering. Also, once you’re out of the house, do not go back in for any reason.
- Prevent the spread of fires within your home by closing doors and blocking the fire’s entrance with blankets and pillows. Get near a window and make loud noises to alert firemen to your location. Being near a window allows firefighters to get to you faster than if they have to fight through the fire to find you.
Shores also outlined useful tips parents can use to educate kids about fire:
- It’s important to teach kids to be smart about fire; fire isn’t always bad, but it deserves respect and care because it can hurt you.
- Adults should also be mindful of how they handle fire around kids. Kids are curious, so how you approach fire safety determines their attitude toward it. If you’re using lighter fluid to ignite a bonfire or burn leaves, and it seems fun, children will want to try it. When starting a fire, explain the importance of safety and alert children to the dangers of playing with fire.
- Make sure your child knows your address. If a fire breaks out and they make it to the neighbor’s house, they will need to be able to tell the fire department your address.
For other local fire education events and fire tips for kids, visit the Cahaba Valley Fire Departments’ website, or their Facebook page.
Mt Laurel firefighters will also be at the Fall Festival, with Sparky the Fire Dog available to speak with kids. Be sure to stop by for more fire safety tips and to thank your local firefighters.
