CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Fire Department rounded out fire safety week Saturday with an event geared toward making sure children and their families are ready in the event of an emergency.
About 40 or so kids visited the Clearfield Driving Park for a ride in one of the fire trucks, to see what a smoke-filled room is really like and to learn about what they can do to prepare.
Sue Lanich, public education coordinator for the department, said the big things to remember are to have an escape plan and to be safe in the first place.
She said the top 10 list for safety and prevention includes:
1. Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom in the house.
2. Check the batteries in the smoke alarms once per month and replace them twice per year.
3. Learn what to do if your clothing catches on fire — STOP, DROP AND ROLL
4. Make and practice and exit drill.
5. Ensure that children ever play with fire, matches or lighter.
6. Teach children how to report emergencies by dialing 911.
7. Make sure children say at least 3 feet away from stoves and heaters.
8. Keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen, garage and car — and know how to use them.
9. Never smoke in bed.
10. Replace frayed or torn electrical cords.
Those who attended the event left with important safety and preparedness information, but there were lollipops, crayons and coloring books for the kids as well. Sparky, a Dalmatian, and Smokey the Bear were also on hand.
Smokey would have been proud if he heard Lanich’s advice about fire safety and Saturday’s winds.
“With days like today, if people are burning leaves, they should think twice,” she said. “It can get away from you and start a forest fire very quickly.”
Lanich said the department is looking for new members all the time, and applications were available at last weekend’s event.
“It’s not all going to fire calls,” she said, adding that there are opportunities to provide medical assistance and public service events such as the one held at the park.
Information about joining the fire department can be obtained from any current firefighter.
