Safety tips, demonstrations given

BURLINGTON — October is National Fire Prevention Month and, on Wednesday, crews were at Burlington Elementary to educate children on how to lessen fire risks at home and what to in the case of a blaze.

Members of the Fayette Township Volunteer Fire Department set up a “smokehouse,” on loan from the Perry Township Fire Department, which uses water vapor to simulate a smoke-filled home.

Each grade level of students were taken through.

“We’re teaching them stop, drop and roll, how to call 911, the importance of knowing their address,” fire chief Tim McMaster said, adding that the department visits the school each year. “We tell them they should have smoke alarms, to keep away from stoves and go through the basics of stuff.”

Trainee Scott Vaughn said he has seen the results of the education effort while working for the department.

“It’s been proven that it works,” he said.

Ken Blevins, safety officer for the department, said the crew sat up in the morning and had been there all day.

“We show the kids everything they need to know,” he said. “We’ve also been to Head Start.”

He said, in addition to the presentation, he provided each student with a package of educational material, books and a hat to take home.

“We ask them questions about what to do in a fire, and see if they know where to meet,” he said. “A lot of them know it.”

McMaster also stressed the importance of smoke detectors for homes, and said if any family needs them, to come by the Burlington station, where, after filling out paperwork, they will be provided with two at no charge.

“They’re a $10-20 investment for us, and they pay for themselves,” he said.