Oshawa Fire Services is leading an education initiative that challenges local Grade 5 students to examine their choices to help prevent fires at home.
House fires are the third-leading cause of death among children, mostly because of smoke inhalation. Sadly, children start approximately 30% of these fires.
Every Grade 5 student in Oshawa will receive a free copy of Fire Safety: Smart choices for LIFE, produced by Community Safety Net and made available through the generous support of local businesses and community organizations. This is the 14th year Oshawa Fire Services has offered this resource to local students.
Fire Safety: Smart choices for LIFE is a comprehensive 112-page handbook designed for children aged 7 to 11 but packed with practical information for the whole family. Topics range from forest fires to good fires as well as smoke alarms and fire hazards.
The handbook also features a large colouring section, and includes tips on how to avoid fire, an escape plan for the home, what to do in case of fire, as well as first aid and health information. A free downloadable app for smartphones and tablets is included, which is customizable to provide local safety contact numbers, along with safety tips, videos and other important safety information.
For more information, visit oshawa.ca/fire, and follow "OshawaCity" on Facebook and @OshawaFire on Twitter.
Quotes:
"Fire safety education is the best defence against fires in the home. There is no better way to obtain that education than from the professional, dedicated members of our Fire Service," said Councillor Rick Kerr, Chair of the Community Services Committee.
"We are pleased to partner with local businesses and organizations in our community, as well as Community Safety Net, to offer these valuable tools that will give children the knowledge they need to prevent fire-related injuries and fatalities," said Fire Chief Derrick Clark.
