Firefighter Focusing on Educating Students about Fire Prevention

Oct. 7-13 is Fire Prevention Week, which was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that killed 250 people and left more than 10,000 people homeless. In fact, the entire month of October is dedicated to National Fire Safety and Prevention, which is why Public Education Safety Officer Sandy Ray is in the classrooms helping educate children on fire safety. 

Ray said for grades K-2 she is working on a home fire escape plan for each student and the flat Stanley project. 

"I have discussed with students that they should know two ways out of every room, test smoke alarms, pick a meeting place outside and have a practice plan," said Ray. "Then I read the story Flat Stanley and the Firehouse." 

The book is about Stanley, whose Stop, Drop, and Roll poster wins him a trip to a firehouse, but the visit takes an unexpected turn. 

After Ray reads the book, students get a flat Stanely or flat Stella to decorate and color. Students also enter a contest with their Stanley or Stella, showing fire safety practices at their home. 

"Students are asked to submit a photo or photos of their Stanley/Stella at their house showing how to test detectors, check fire extinguishers, make a home fire escape plan, pick a meeting place, etc.," she said. "A winning family from each grade level at each school will be honored at a pizza party at the fire station on Dec. 13."

For grades 3-4, Ray is helping each student with a fire escape plan with a Jeopardy-type game.

Then, the students can enter the city's annual fire safety poster contest on how to protect your family from fire. The contest runs in December and winners are announced in early January. One winner from each grade level at each school, including Holy Family, receives awards at the Jan. 24 Stow City Council meeting.

Take a look at last year's fire safety poster contest winners and the girl whose drawing was featured on the side of a firefighter safety van.