‘House’ helps teach children about fire

TWO Sale community groups recently joined forces in a project to assist the delivery of fire education to local school children.

In an effort to improve on its Fire Safe Kids programs, Sale’s CFA brigade contacted Sale Men’s Shed members to see if they could build a prop to use in demonstrations to kindergarten and primary schoolaged children.

Of course, Sale Men’s Shed participants were only too happy to oblige, and over two or three weeks built a moveable ”house”, complete with windows and spinning ‘flames’ that children could squirt with a hose.

CFA volunteer Graeme Wigg said the prop was built to the CFA’s specifications, and would help to deliver hands-on lessons that engaged the children and gave them vital fire safety knowledge and skills that they would remember.

The CFA delivers the Fire Safe Kids program to kindergartens and primary and secondary schools around the shire, either at its Raymond St premises or at schools.

The primary aged lessons focus on identifying ‘hot spots’ or fire hazards around the home, developing home fire escape plans, extinguishing clothing fires, treating burn injuries and the science behind fire.

It also provides education around preparing for the bushfire season.

For pre-primary children the lessons focus on the need to get out, find a safe place and call for help if there is a fire.

They also aim to make children familiar with firefighters and their role in the community.

School or kindergarten leaders who would like to book the education program should phone CFA District 10 Headquarters in 5149 1000.