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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-10-05, Page 11-1177. FIRE WEEK 15T 1994 brave firefighters of our tion and humanitarianisi urPheartfelt thanks! THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Octob.r 5, 1994-11 PREVENTION ire Department Plan escape route in case of fire It BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor Some adults don't change the batteries in their smoke detectors and some families don't have escape plans in case of fire. So, on Fire Pre- vention Week (which runs from Oct. 9-15), perhaps the best answers on fire preven- tion will come from children. Thirteen -year-old Brett Jewitt, a student at Seaforth Public School, says having a chimney cleaned can prevent a chimney fire. He says at his home his uncle has cleaned the chimney in the past. The grade eight student says his family has a smoke detector and- fire extinguisher and would recommend that every family have this important equipment for fire detection and prevention. Having a smoke detector is not much help if there aren't any batteries in it. "People should get a smoke detector and change the batteries once a year," said Nicole Crawford, a 13 -year-old from RR 1 Dublin. If there is a fire one should crawl out (near the ground, but not at ground level) to avoid inhaling fumes, said grade eight student Michael Bieber. Don't waste time try- ing to gather up belongings in the case of a fire, advises the thirteen -year-old from Seaforth. Here's a fire tip for children from a 13 -year-old student from Seaforth Public School: "Don't play with fire," said Melissa Harrison. "You could severely burn yourself or be injured for life." "Parents should keep matches away from little kids," adds Jason Hugill, 13, of RR 2 Seaforth. Some of the students said their parents didn't always follow proper fire safety procedures. One student said her parents didn't always have fresh batteries in the smoke detector at home. A random survey of elementary students suggest many fam- ilies have never rehearsed a 'fire drill' at home. Families can talk to a volun- teer firefighter to set up an evacuation plan for their homes, said Fire Chief George Garrick. Fire drills are a requirement at elementary schools in the public and separate school boards, taking place six times during the school year. Fire drill information is shared with the Fire Chief who monitors the drills and plans and makes recommendations. The elementary schools have an emergency pro- cedures plan which includes fire. Each school class room must have a poster posted which shows the primary exit and alternate route. The fire "Parents should keep matches away from little kids." "You've got to get out of there, don't stick around!" he said. "Think of yourselves and your lives first." Corinne Leonhardt, also a l� thirteen -year-old grade eight student, agrees. "Get out of a the house as fast as you can and meet in one spot." 1' 1r 9 Robbie Mitchell, 13, has a safety tip for you. Don't store gasoline inside your house. "Gasoline is never in my house," said the Walton youngster. He said at his home there are sometimes boxes near the furnace but fire prevention experts warn to keep areas around a fur- nace clear. plan includes special assist- ance for students with a handicap who need support. Primary classes have been known in the past to visit the fire hall. In the primary grades the children often learn about firefighters as 'community helpers.' Seaforth's fire history •Seaforth formed the first fire department with James Cline as Chief in 1874. • In 1888 Fire Brigade member George A. Sills set a world record of 56.5 seconds in running and coupling a hose. It LIVES TEM CUMMING PHOTO PREVENT FIRE - These students may be in front of a fire hydrant but they urge people to avoid a fire using common sense. Giving some,fire prevention tips last week were (front row) Michael Bieber, 13; Robbie Mitchell, 13 and Brett Jewitt, 13, (bade row) Nicole Crawford, 13; Melissa Harrison, 13; Jason Hugill, 13 and Corinne Leonhardt, 13. SEAFORTH AUTOMOTIVE 527-0880 CANADIAN TIRE •FIRE EXTINGUISHERS •SMOKE DETECTORS 527-1350. HART FORD MERCURY 527-1010 HART FORD MERCURY USED CARS_ 527-2291 CIBC 527-0100 MIDDEGAAL POOLS 527-0104 HURON SPORTS OUTFITTERS 527-0303 IETUE '��ANCE X6720 NELSON PULLMAN. CONSTRUCTION 527-0947 SEAFORTH. PLUMBING & HEATING 527-0505 BE FIRE WISE! There are two lifesaving steps you can take to avoid the tragedy of fire. First, you can learn to prevent fires by keeping areas around the home, farm and business uncluttered. Storing chemicals carefully. Keeping matches away from children. The second step is to know what to do in case you're caught in a fire. Plan fire drills. Install smoke detectors. Learn escape routes. Because careless fires can cost lives knowing what to do can save lives. It's that simple ... and that smart. AGENTS GRAEME CRAIG . BOB McNAUGHTON DON TAYLOR BANTER, MacEWAN & FEAGAN INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. LYNDA VINCENT JOHN WISE INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. EXETER INSURANCE BROKERS COCKWI`_LL INSURANCE BROKERS Established 1876 881-9381 527-1571 482-9976 524-8376 527-2204 482-3401 235-2211 356-2216 "CALL AN AGENT OR THE OFFICE" McKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE CPANY 91 Main St. S. Seaforth 527-0400 Jim Cardiff Sec.-Treos., Manager THE HURON EXPOSITOR 527-0240 THE TOWN OF SEAFORTH WHITNEY-RIBEY FUNERAL HOME 527-1390 SEAFORTH INSURANCE BROKER LTD. 527-1610 ANNA'S DRESS SHOPPE 527-0489 STEDMANS -- _& S 527-1950 ? b