November 3, 2005 8:23 PM
Fire safety
Justin attends an early intervention preschool in the morning to get the little extra help he needs. The other day the firemen came to visit and I didn't really think twice about it until later his teacher told me that this is a safety program with a specific purpose: to familiarize childen with the gear worn by firemen so that if their house is on fire they won't run and hide from the brave men who break in to rescue them.
You know, I've been around kids for a long time and I never thought of that! But it made so much sense. Just thinking about how those enormous suits and face masks from a child's point of view made me understand what the firemen are up against. Apparently some children have been lost to fires while hiding in closets and under beds.
So the firemen go in and explain all the gear and the child's teacher puts it on. Still, the effect is scary enough that Justin trembled in another teacher's arms and refused to go near his suited-up teacher.
So here's a little safety item you need to think about. Call your local fire department and ask if they have a visiting day coming up. Or if you have a playgroup or homeschool group, you might ask them to come visit you. If your kids are in public school, ask the principal if they have a visit from the fire department on the agenda.
Along with basic safety rules, your child needs to know what to do in case of fire:
*Do not hide from firefighters--teach your kids what they look like and sound like with their oxygen masks on. *Show kids how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke. *If there is a fire in the house, get out and stay out. *Stop, drop and roll if clothes catch fire.
I found this website of a local fire department visiting a school - you can click on the pictures to enlarge them for your kids.
Also, ordered these books for my kids: Firefighters A to Z and A Day with Firefighters. And this video: Firefighter George & Fire Engines, Fire Trucks, and Fire Safety.
I looked for quite a while before coming up with fireman coloring pages that were appealing. I found them here.
Posted in Mothering | Permalink
