Chief emphasizes fire safety in presentations
Before Hillsboro Fire Chief Ben Steketee could continue with his presentation, the second graders had to clear up a couple things.
Steketee: Cracked electrical cords can be a fire hazard.
Second-grader: What if they made a vacuum cleaner without a cord?
Steketee: Don't keep dangerous items like kerosene or gas in the house. Store then in the garage.
Second-grader: What if the garage caught on fire?
These Hillsboro Elementary School second-graders definitely had their minds in gear last Friday during the fire safety presentation made by the fire chief.
Last week was National Fire Prevention week. To keep children informed of potential fire dangers, Steketee spent time late Friday morning and early Friday afternoon talking to some of the younger grades at the elementary school.
But Steketee wasn't the only one on hand from the fire department: Fire Pup (a.k.a. Steketee's daughter, Renee) was there too.
During his presentations, Steketee told the students that some materials were especially dangerous, such as open candle flames, damaged electrical cords, and space heaters.
And, of course, there are matches and lighters — only adults should use those, Steketee said.
Every house should have a smoke alarm, and that alarm should be tested once a month. After ten years, it needs to be replaced, Steketee said.
Every home also needs an escape plan. Family members should have at least two possible ways to get out of every room, he said.
