five_alarm
10-28-2004, 10:16 AM
Samara Cygman
COCHRANE, AB - Cochrane Fire Safety Codes Officer Brian Winter believes as soon as children understand the concept between good and bad, they are old enough to comprehend the importance of fire safety.
That’s why he is excited about the new Fire Safety For Kids book, a 105-page handbook geared toward children that features information about how to avoid a fire, how to plan an escape route and what to do if a fire breaks out.
The book also contains first-aid information along with important safety tips for parents, teachers and baby-sitters. It is set up so parents can work through the book with their children and, as a reward, has a certificate of achievement at the back.
Winter said this book aims to bring the same fire prevention tips and exercises learned at school into the home.
“How many kids have perished in a school fire? Very few. Why don’t we take that enthusiasm into the home,” said Winter. “As soon as kids are old enough to walk and understand the difference between right and wrong, I think they can understand fire prevention.”
The book, which is being offered free of charge to the groups of children who tour the fire department, is being produced by a Winnipeg company called Community Safety Net.
“We keep them on-hand here for firehall tours or when we go speak to classrooms on fire safety,” said Winter.
Keith Payne, program coordinator at Community Safety Net, has been working in Cochrane to gather sponsorship for the book. So far, 200 sponsors have been rounded up from the Cochrane area to help pay for the production of the book.
Payne said house fires are the third largest cause of death among children, most of which are attributed to smoke inhalation.
And the sobering thought is 30 per cent of these fires are started by children.
“This has been done for many years in many communities across the nation,” explained Payne. “This is something that has been very important and necessary for kids to learn -- and little kids really remember the things the fire department teaches them.”
Winter agreed, saying he is unsure of what the stats are, but when it comes to fire prevention and safety, you can never know too much.
“Sometime during your life, you’re going to come across fire and as far as I’m concerned, the worst injury someone can have is a burn,” said Winter.
He pointed out the fire-related fatalities that are occurring in the home are usually during the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“What does that tell me? People need to have working smoke detectors,” said Winter.
The book, which is geared for youth aged seven to 11, is expected to be out by mid-December.
Cochrane Times (http://www.cochranetimes.com/story.php?id=123900)
COCHRANE, AB - Cochrane Fire Safety Codes Officer Brian Winter believes as soon as children understand the concept between good and bad, they are old enough to comprehend the importance of fire safety.
That’s why he is excited about the new Fire Safety For Kids book, a 105-page handbook geared toward children that features information about how to avoid a fire, how to plan an escape route and what to do if a fire breaks out.
The book also contains first-aid information along with important safety tips for parents, teachers and baby-sitters. It is set up so parents can work through the book with their children and, as a reward, has a certificate of achievement at the back.
Winter said this book aims to bring the same fire prevention tips and exercises learned at school into the home.
“How many kids have perished in a school fire? Very few. Why don’t we take that enthusiasm into the home,” said Winter. “As soon as kids are old enough to walk and understand the difference between right and wrong, I think they can understand fire prevention.”
The book, which is being offered free of charge to the groups of children who tour the fire department, is being produced by a Winnipeg company called Community Safety Net.
“We keep them on-hand here for firehall tours or when we go speak to classrooms on fire safety,” said Winter.
Keith Payne, program coordinator at Community Safety Net, has been working in Cochrane to gather sponsorship for the book. So far, 200 sponsors have been rounded up from the Cochrane area to help pay for the production of the book.
Payne said house fires are the third largest cause of death among children, most of which are attributed to smoke inhalation.
And the sobering thought is 30 per cent of these fires are started by children.
“This has been done for many years in many communities across the nation,” explained Payne. “This is something that has been very important and necessary for kids to learn -- and little kids really remember the things the fire department teaches them.”
Winter agreed, saying he is unsure of what the stats are, but when it comes to fire prevention and safety, you can never know too much.
“Sometime during your life, you’re going to come across fire and as far as I’m concerned, the worst injury someone can have is a burn,” said Winter.
He pointed out the fire-related fatalities that are occurring in the home are usually during the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“What does that tell me? People need to have working smoke detectors,” said Winter.
The book, which is geared for youth aged seven to 11, is expected to be out by mid-December.
Cochrane Times (http://www.cochranetimes.com/story.php?id=123900)