Grow and Glow Pre-School visits New London Fire Station

Each year during Fire Prevention Week, the Grow and Glow pre-school children visit the fire station. The children learn about fire safety and visit with the firemen. Allison, pre-school director, said “We are so blessed to have amazing men and women that volunteer and take time to educate our children about the importance of fire safety!”

The fire fighters emphasize the basic rules taught to all members of Grow and Glow and hopefully at home by parents to children of all ages. The rules are simple: “Don’t play with fire” and “Stop, Drop and Roll.” The third thing varies from family to family and organization: Plan and practice an escape plan. An important part of the escape plan is a meeting place a safe distance away from the building but easy to access.

Additionally, ensure that children know to crawl low under smoke and stay away from hot doors and never re-enter a burning building. It is important to teach them to immediately tell a grown-up if they mind matches or a lighter and to get out and stay out if a smoke alarm sounds.

One of the most important lessons occurs when the children visit the fire station and watch a firefighter put on all the gear. They must learn that the firefighter is a friend and that they should not hide from them. Imagine how a firefighter complete with clothes and a mask must look to a little one already frightened by a fire, all the noise and darkness.

Every Fire Prevention Week has a theme. This year’s is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home! This theme is really aimed at the adults in the home, but the theme highlights a growing problem. As these batteries become increasingly common, children must learn about them and their dangers. Lithium burns and throwing water on a lithium fire is terribly dangerous. Perhaps a fourth rule should be added. Do not encourage children to fight a fire. Get to safety and report the fire to an adult as quickly as possible is always the best thing to do.

Three Steps are recommended by the NFPA. Buy only listed products. When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery look for a safety certification mark such as UL, ETL, or CSA. This means it meets important safety standards. Charge devices safely. Always use the cords that came with the product to charge. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Buy new chargers from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved. Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged. Recycle batteries responsibly. Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire. Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you.