Students from Ms. Turtzo’s class, ranging from ages three to five, had the opportunity to learn about fire safety in the home from within the mobile fire safety house. Children were taught how to escape from a burning house during a smoky simulation of real-life fire conditions, with Dawson County Fire Inspector Stephen Knowles instructing students to drop to their hands and knees...
Pine Grove Montessori School students received a lesson in fire safety recently from Dawson County Emergency Services.
Students from Ms. Turtzo’s class, ranging from age three to five, had the opportunity to learn about fire safety in the home from within the mobile fire safety house. Dawson County Fire Inspector Stephen Knowles talked with the students about fire hazards in the kitchen and around fireplaces.
The kids were taught how to escape from a burning house during a smoky simulation of real-life fire conditions. Inspector Knowles instructed the kids to drop to their hands and knees. “Get down low on the floor,” instructed Knowles. “Stay low because all the good air you can breathe is down low.” Students clamored to the floor and crawled to the door as directed following the screech of the smoke detector while simulated smoke filled the bedroom of the safety house. One by one, they scuttled to the front door where they gathered at the predetermined meeting place.
Following the drill, the children got an up-close tour of both an ambulance and fire truck and received books and stickers to take home to reinforce the experience.
The fire safety house, affectionately known as EDITH – Exit Drills in the Home, is “used to prepare and train children for the unexpected experience of fire,” stated Knowles. “We talk about what to do if there is a fire and how to get out safely.”
“All families should have a plan of action in case of fire,” stresses Inspector Knowles. He suggests following these tips from the National Fire Safety Council.
Have An Escape Plan
Sit down with your family. Talk about what to do in case of a fire. Organize a step-by-step escape plan.
Know Two Ways Out
Discuss and diagram two ways out from every room, especially bedrooms. Put all the doors, windows, stairs and hallways on the plan. Pick at least one window in each room to be used as an emergency exit.
Pick A Safe Place
To prevent panic, select a place outdoors for everyone to meet. Designate one person to call the fire department from a neighbor's house.
Do Not Go Back
Make sure everyone understands the importance of not going back inside the home. There may not be another chance to get out safely.
Get Out Fast
Exit as quickly as possible. If it’s smoky, stay low to the floor as you go. If the door is hot, do not open it, use your alternate route. Once outside, go to the family meeting place.
Practice Your Plan
Practice E.D.I.T.H. twice a year. Hold drills at night with the lights out. Check that everyone is following the escape plan properly. If you move, remember to develop a new plan.
The safety house program is available for elementary schools and community special events. For more information call Dawson County Fire Inspector Stephen Knowles at 706-344-3666.