Students from pre-kindergarten through second grade across Franklin County are receiving a first-hand look at how to navigate through a smoke-filled house as part of National Fire Prevention Month activities.
Justin Green, fire marshal with the Russellville Fire Department, along with RFD firefighters, visited West Elementary School last Wednesday with their fire safety trailer, which allows students the opportunity to escape from a (water-based vapor) smoke-filled home, teaching them what to do if a door is hot and how to escape through a window.
October is National Fire Prevention Month, and Russellville firemen work their way around the county speaking to students about safety-related topics including ‘stop, drop and roll,’ the importance of family meeting places in case of emergencies and what to do when they call 911.
The fire-safety trailer was obtained through grant funding from Sen. Roger Bedford several years ago. Green said students enjoy the active participation in the trailer and meeting firefighters, but “Sparky” is far and away the hit of the presentation.
Sparky, the fire department’s mascot, distributed coloring books, junior fire fighter badges, pencils and erasers to Russellville students. Students at Russellville Elementary School take part in a poster contest sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association. An annual theme is selected, and posters must adhere to the current year’s message, “Turn Your Attention to Fire Prevention.”
Green will also speak this month to senior citizens at Village Square Apartments, Engle Drive Apartments and Russellville Housing Authority residents, and he addressed the Alabama Coalition of the Blind Russellville group earlier this month. Topics of presentations include safe holiday cooking when frying turkeys and the importance of installing, testing and maintaining smoke alarms in homes.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires, with three times as many fires occurring on that day. Those using turkey fryers are encouraged to do so outside, away from their home, and never in a garage or on a porch. Also, don’t overfill the oil or leave the fryer unattended, and never fry a frozen turkey.
In 2013, U.S. Fire departments responded to more than 1,240,000 fires, resulting in 3,240 civilian fire fatalities, 15,925 civilian fire injuries and $11.5 billion in property loss. There was a civilian fire death every 102 minutes in the United States in 2013, with a civilian fire injury occurring every 33 minutes.
