WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- It's National Fire Prevention Week, so the West Chester Fire Department is teaching little ones what to do in an emergency.
The department's new four-page set of children’s coloring pages features puzzles that teach four essential fire prevention lessons:
- Always know two ways out of every room. Create an escape plan for your home. Designate a safe family meeting spot outside.
- Test smoke detectors regularly. Replace batteries when necessary and twice each year when clocks change for Daylight Saving Time.
- Close bedroom doors at night before going to sleep. When you “Close Before You Doze,” you can slow the spread of fire through your home if it were to ignite.
- Don’t be afraid of or hide from firefighters wearing their gear in emergencies. The equipment may look and sound scary, but firefighters are just people trying to help.
“It’s important to begin teaching kids about fire safety as early as pre-school,” said Loss Prevention Captain Scott Brooks. “Our goal with these outreach activities is to empower youngsters with life-saving knowledge and skills, then encourage them to become the teacher by taking home reminders to their parents, older brothers and sisters, and family members.”
The four coloring pages will be distributed by firefighters and officials at various community events for children to take home. By the end of October, the department will have participated in more than 30 fire prevention outreach events with more than 15 community organizations including schools, churches, senior centers, private businesses and neighborhood block parties.
National Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 8-14 with this year's theme being "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out."
Download the coloring pages at the website here.
