From Grade School to Grad School - Fire Safety 101
By Lieutenant Mark Stone
August 12, 2009
The Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department would like to remind the community of the importance of fire safety with summer coming to an end and school and college commencing.
For students young and old from pre-school to college grad students, as well as for their parents and guardians, the transition from summer to "back-to-school" can be exciting, challenging and at times overwhelming. The act of shopping for school supplies and clothes for the grade-schoolers, and the focused attention of college bound students on course enrollment, dorm life and "freedom" often lends itself to a lapse in thought of another very important component of change…..fire and life safety!
With the start of another academic year for grade school children comes a marked increase in "latchkey" kids, after school care providers and other situations where the daily interaction and oversight by parents becomes minimal or absent, until they return home from work. It is paramount that fire and life safety tips are taught and enhanced during this time.
For the "off to college" crowd, whether it's the first year experience or off-campus housing, awareness of fire safety takes on a whole new meaning, as there is no direct "parental guidance" to keep them safe.
In either case, parents and caregivers alike are urged to take this time to review important information such as fire escape plans, testing of smoke alarms and the dangers of electricity, matches and other hazards that may harm their kids.
NOW is the time to decide who to call, where to go and what to do in an emergency.
Please visit the following websites to learn more-
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