On October 25th, Ridge VFD continued Fire Prevention Month activities by entertaining a group of home-schooled kids at our Firehouse in Ridge. A local parent contacted us after seeing our Fire Prevention Week posts from our school visits. She asked if we would consider doing a presentation for her home-schooled children, as well as a small group of her neighborhood home-schooled kids. RVFD educators jumped at the chance to shared fire prevention and safety tips and teach these students about the sounds of fire safety! We arranged for the group (15 children; 7 adults) to visit the firehouse for the presentation.

Ridge VFD Fire Prevention educators started the visit in the Fire Prevention Mobile Classroom (a.k.a., smoke trailer). They shared information specific to the various sounds heard during fire emergency. Each student was taught the differences between smoke alarms and CO alarms, and the different sounds they make. Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep you and your family safe. When an alarm makes noises – three beeps for smoke alarms and four beeps for CO alarms – you must take action. The students were also taught the importance of staying low to the ground when there is smoke in the home, sleeping with their bedroom doors closed (Close Before You Doze), how to check a room door for heat/high temperatures, and how to escape from a bedroom window equipped with a safety ladder.

After the mobile classroom lessons, the students were given an up-close tour of Engine 42 (Squad 4). Firefighters/educators displayed equipment and gear from the various compartments. They were also treated to a demonstration of how a firefighter puts on their fire turn-out gear. Following the sessions, each student was given a goodie bag full of safety information, coloring/activity books, and stickers.

Ridge VFD wants to thank the parents and students for visiting the firehouse and allowing us to share some fire safety information!