The trailer is used by the department to simulate scenarios that teach kids about fire prevention.
“Teach ’em ways to check the door with the back of their palm, the door knob to see if it’s hot,” said Chuck Fleury, who is with SBM’s community relations department. “If it’s hot, be able to go out the window if you’re on the lower floor. What to do if you’re on the second floor, third floor. Give them ideas – not to hide, stay low, that type of fire safety.”
“Really good actually and it was really fun too,” said Northpoint student Memphis Whitehead. “They were amazing.”
“I learned that your nose goes asleep when you go to sleep and the smoke alarm is your nose at night,” said Kinsley, who also goes to Northpoint.
Fleury and SBM firefighter Natalie Streich gave presentations to the youngsters who listened closely to their message as they doled out useful tips.
Kitchen focus
Both emphasized that the kitchen can be a hotspot.
“A lot of them will start cooking so we give them ideas,” Fleury said. “We’ve got to stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking. The three-foot circle around it – no younger brothers, sisters, animals in that circle.”
Staying focused in the kitchen is critical.
“Don’t worry about the Amazon driver or that the dog’s barking at somebody,” Fleury said. “Make sure you stay in the kitchen until everything’s done cooking and the burners are off.”
“What I liked best about learning to prevent fires is that oxygen makes a fire bigger and to close the oven if there was a fire…” said Northpoint student Odin Sanks. “One small mistake with the microwave and stuff can make a fire.”
The kids also were told what to do if the worst-case scenario happens.
“We learned how to escape if ever there is a fire,” said Kinsley.
SBM even used smoke to make things more believable in the evacuation process.
“The smoke that we have is your typical non-toxic smoke,” Fleury said. “It’s just like a haunted house smoke. They always freak out, it’s gonna be real smoke, but it’s not. It gets their attention. They have a little fun with us while we teach ’em what to do if there’s smoke in the house.”
“I loved learning about what to do when there’s a fire,” said Northpoint student Madeline Skauge.
SBM owns the safety house trailer and also rents it out to other departments who want to visit schools in their area.
