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Local fire departments schedule open housesBy Rose Hooper |
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The second week of October is once again recognized as National Fire Prevention Week, and students across North Carolina have an important job this year be on the lookout for Freddy the Flame.
The nefarious Freddy is just one of the many characters highlighted in the new booklet "Fire Marshal Jim and the Search for Freddy the Flame" designed and produced by the Department of Insurance. With a grant from the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, the "Fire Marshal Jim" book was distributed free of charge to every public school third-grader in the state. It is also available online for any age or grade level to print out at www.ncdoi.com. Copies may also be available as local fire departments have open house this weekend. Sylva Volunteer Fire Department has set its open house for Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Members will be on hand to offer free balloons, candy, drinks and door prizes. The Child Safety House from Buncombe County will be available. Savannah Volunteer Fire Department will hold its fourth annual open house Sunday, Oct. 14, from 1 to 5 p.m. The event will include refreshments, free blood pressure checks and fire truck rides for the kids. Firefighters will demonstrate the use of fire extinguishers and different types of smoke and gas detectors. Sunday's event in Savannah will also celebrate a recent award to the department of $63,360 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase personal protective equipment, according to Chief Darrell Woodard. "The personal protective equipment available for firefighters has become much more sophisticated and expensive," said FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh. "The president and I are pleased the grants in this category will help fire departments buy this critical equipment, ultimately helping reduce deaths and injuries in our nation's fire service community." Sparky the Fire Dog and Smokey Bear plan to visit both events Saturday and Sunday. "Last year we talked to students about escaping from fires, and that is still an important element of Fire Prevention Week lessons," said Insurance Commissioner Jim Long, who the character of "Fire Marshal Jim" is based on. "But this year we also discussed prevention, in the hopes that kids will stop dangerous fires before they can start." Fire Prevention Week booklets, along with accompanying teacher lesson plan suggestions, teach children about the dangers of kitchen appliances, electrical cords and plugs, matches, lighters and other common household items that can cause fires. Cartoon characters, puzzles and games make the learning fun. When students complete the lessons, they are rewarded with the title "Junior Fire Marshal." Some of the lessons that all North Carolina families should keep in mind include:
Space Heater Safety-Always give space heaters space! Leave at least three feet between the heating unit and anything that can burn, including people and pets. - Never leave a room or go to sleep while a heater is on.
Electrical Safety- Inspect power cords for fraying or breaks. Replace or repair cords to prevent sparks that can cause a fire. - Follow manufacturer's instructions about plugging in appliances, and do not overload an outlet.
Kitchen Safety- Never allow children to cook without adult supervision. - Do not leave food cooking on the stovetop or in the oven unattended. - Keep things that can burn, like towels, rags and food wrappers, away from hot burners. |
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