Fulton firefighters visited classrooms at Bush and Bartley Elementary Schools on Thursday to teach fire safety as a part of National Fire Prevention Week.
Engineer with the Fulton Fire Department Todd Gray and Firefighter James Noah taught the children how to scream for help and how to crawl. The students also learned that they should establish a meeting place with their family if a fire occurs.
Video by Brittany Ruess/FULTON SUN
Gray also instructed them to pick up their toys before going to bed as a clean room gives firefighters easier access to them during a fire. He also told the youngsters can talk to their parents and guardians about checking smoke detectors and establishing a meeting place.
Noah put on his full uniform and told the children not to be scared if someone who looks like him tries to save them during a fire. With all of his gear on, Noah crawled in front of the kindergarteners, acting as if he was searching for them through heavy smoke. The children cried for help in the demonstration. "So I'm still the same person, not scary right?" he asked them, and they yelled back "no."
The lesson for the young students ended with a tour of a firetruck from Todd Pritchett, engineer. He showed the students items stored inside a firetruck. Pritchett pointed out where each firefighters sits on the truck and what the responsibilities are for individuals. He also showed them essential items on the firetruck: hoses, an ax and even kitty litter - which is used to soak up grease and oil.
The Heart of Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross released tips on how to practice fire safety. Those tips are:
•On each level of a house and outside of each bedroom, install smoke alarms. Make sure to place them on the ceiling or high on the wall.
•Install a smoke alarm in all of the bedrooms.
•Test smoke alarms on a regular basis, and replace batteries every year.
•Install new smoke alarms every ten years.
•Place items that easily catch on fire three or more feet away from anything that gets hot, such as heat sources or stoves.
•Don't smoke in bed.
•If leaving the room or going to sleep, make sure to turn off portable heaters.