The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department has spent several days in October visiting local elementary schools to teach kindergarten through 4th grade students about prevention, safety and what to do in case of a fire.

The students had the opportunity to see the type of fire fighting equipment the fire truck carries and what the inside of the truck looks like. They also got to see a fire fighter dressed in full fire-fighting gear (a scary sight to some younger students) so they would know what to expect.

The Fire Department also brought their Fire Safety House to the campuses. Inside students were reminded about kitchen safety such as what to do if a fire breaks out on top of the stove and how to set a pot on the stove safely. A fire fighter talked about wall electrical outlets and what not to do to be safe around them. Students were reminded of the importance of having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. They were also taught what to do in case a fire breaks out in their home or a house they are visiting. They got the opportunity to climb out a window, a preferred escape route on the ground floor if the door is too hot to open.

The second graders at Vivian Fowler Elementary School remembered the lessons:

Jacob Baker: Stand by a wall so they can find you (if caught in a fire and you can’t get out of a room).

Alyse Cervantes: Only you can prevent Wild Fires (Fowler students had the opportunity to meet Smokey the Bear),

Saray Prado: Climb out a window (this impressed many students).

Mackenzie Pena: Go through a window, have a family meeting place (stressed both in the assembly and while in the Fire Prevention House), do not open the door if you hear the alarm.

Fire Prevention Month is every October so by the time these students leave the 4th grade, they will have heard the presentations five times.