Teaching Fire Safety
What teachers can do to keep kids out of harm's way.
October 8–14 is Fire Prevention Week, an annual event designed to raise awareness of fire dangers that is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
On Friday, October 6, Sparky the Fire Dog visited the Scholastic Store in SoHo to talk with teachers and students from St. Patrick Old Cathedral School in lower Manhattan.
While Sparky handed out coloring books and posed for pictures with the kids, Instructor got the chance to speak with Judith Comoletti, NFPA Assistant Vice President, Public Education.
What is the purpose of Fire Prevention Week?
The purpose is to get the word out to parents, teachers, and kids on fire dangers and safety tips. Every year has a theme. This year's theme is "Prevent Cooking Fires—Watch What You Heat." We're encouraging families to stay by their stovetops, use smoke alarms in the kitchen, and develop a plan for evacuating the house in the event of a fire.
What can teachers do to help?
Go to firepreventionweek.org, where we have many free materials for teachers that are aligned to state and national standards. It's easy to incorporate fire safety tips into the lessons you're already teaching.
We love free resources! What's available?
There are lesson plans, a poster, a banner, and a brochure. There's also a program called Risk Watch, which covers other childhood dangers.
Is there a site where teachers can go with their kids?
Yes. Sparky.org offers online activities and games just for students. So even if you can't get an in-person visit from Sparky, kids can still meet him and hear his important message.
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LESSON PLAN
