Some local kindergarteners seem to know what to do in the event of a fire. While visiting Danville’s Number 3 fire station Wednesday some students from Danville Lutheran School yelled ‘’Stop, drop, and roll!’’ when asked what you do if your clothes catch on fire.
The students were touring the station as part of National Fire Prevention Week which begins on Sunday. They got to climb aboard a fire truck, spray water from a fire hose, and see the equipment firefighters wear in the event of an emergency.
Assistant Chief Dave Milholland says firefighters want the youngsters to know how a firefighter might look while coming to rescue them. ‘’Usually in a fire environment it’s usually dark, smoky and you can’t really see very well. And a firefighter in all his gear – with an air pack mask on, and the noise also – the breathing kind of sounds like Darth Vader – you got the loud breathing from the air pack – it’s kind of frightening to a kid. And maybe if we can kind of let them know what that sounds like now, they will know what to listen for and won’t be afraid,’’ said Milholland.
Assistant Chief Milholland adds families should have an escape plan for their homes, and he adds you should actually practice it with your children. ‘’You really need to practice it because if you practice it then it becomes second nature. An emergency situation – smoke or something – a fire in your house, you’re not going to be thinking clearly. And anything that you practice, it’s going to become routine. You’ll be able to do it. Everybody will get out safely, and we can get the problem taken care of a lot easier if no one is inside.’’
The Assistant Danville Fire Chief also says you should have your furnace or fire place checked by a reputable firm before cold weather arrives. And make sure the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly in your home.
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