Marine Corps Base Quantico --
Stephen W. Houchin says the goal of Fire Prevention
Week isn’t to scare kids about the
dangers of fire as much as it is to educate them.
It’s for that reason that Houchin, the assistant chief
fire prevention for the Quantico Fire & Emergency Services, and his firemen
will be visiting each of Quantico’s three elementary schools and two child care
centers this month as part of Fire Prevention Week 2014. The weeklong events,
whose theme is “Smoke Alarms Save Lives,” will run from Oct. 6-10.
“If you can reach one of [the children] and it pays off
for them, then it’s been work worth doing,” Houchin said. “If you reach one of
them, you feel pretty good.”
Houchin and his firefighters aim to do just that in an
array of ways, including a popular Sesame Street-themed puppet play designed to
instruct young children about the do’s and don’ts of fire emergencies and a
Fire Safety House that provides realistic opportunities for the kids to practice
what they’ve been taught.
The Fire Safety House includes a faux fireplace, stove
and bedroom from which the young children will be tested about their fire
knowledge.
“The biggest thing that we want them to understand is
that fire is dangerous,” Houchin said. It can hurt you very badly.”
Stressing the importance of having working smoke alarms
will be the key message that is stressed this year, Houchin said, although
others will include the importance of preparation and having regular family
fire drills.
The children will receive individual packets with school
kits, coloring books, crayons and other goodies. Fire trucks will also be on
hand for static display and for children to climb aboard.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
SCHEDULE
Monday, Oct. 6:
Burrows Elementary School, Display 8:30-11 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 7:
Russell Elementary School, Puppet Show 9-9:30 a.m.; Display 9:30-10 a.m.,
Puppet Show 10-10:30 a.m., Display 10:30-11 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 8:
Ashurst Elementary School, Puppet Show 9:30-10 a.m.; Display 10:00-11:30 a.m.,
Display Noon-1 p.m., Puppet Show 1-1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 9:
Child Development Center North, Puppet Show 9-9:30 a.m.; Display 9:30-10:00
a.m., Puppet Show 10:00-10:30 a.m., Display 10:30-11 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 10:
Child Development Center South, Puppet Show 9:30-10 a.m.; Display 10-10:30 a.m.