The second-grade classes at Longview Elementary sit “on their pockets,” hands raised high, ready to ask questions about fire safety to Murray City Fire Marshal Jeff Puls.

“What if your pants are on fire?” one asks.

Fire Marshal Puls reinforces that you shouldn’t try to take them off but should, “Stop, drop and roll.”

“What if the door knob is on fire?” And the questions roll in.

But the kids have been paying attention to the presentation, because when Puls asks, “Does anyone remember what your homework assignment is for over fall break?”

The whole class calls out, “Ask our parents if we have smoke alarms!”

“And then what?”

“Check that they are working!” The class responds in unison. 

“And if you don’t have a smoke alarm, what can you do?”

“Tell our teacher!”

“That’s right,” Puls replies.

“Also, be sure we have a meeting place outside!” A couple of kids chime in. 

And Puls enthusiastically agrees. “Yes, first you get outside. Then you go to your meeting spot. Remember, I said the meeting spot for my family is at the mailbox?”

National Fire Prevention Week runs each year in early October and has been a nationally recognized public health observance since 1925, making it the longest-running health observance in our country.

In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge set the week to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire which began on Oct. 8, 1871 and killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. 

Each year the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets a theme for Fire Prevention Week and this year it was: Smoke Alarms – make them work for you. According to the NFPA, working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a house fire by 54%. 

During the week, Murray Fire visits every Murray City elementary, focusing on reaching the second-grade students. 

“In second grade the children are able to understand and retain essential safety concepts and apply them to real-life events,” Puls said. “Plus, they love to operate the fire hose.”

Murray Fire also holds an event during Fire Prevention Week at the Senior Center to encourage seniors to plan their escape routes and double-check the status of their smoke detectors.

According to the NFPA, people over age 65 have an increased risk of dying in a fire due to physical or mental impairments or taking medicines or other chemicals that reduce reaction time. Old and non-functioning smoke alarms can also be an issue in senior dwellings. 

Murray Fire works with the Red Cross through their Sound the Alarm program, so if one of the students (or any resident) indicates their dwelling doesn’t have smoke alarms, they can get help with installation of free alarms and develop personal escape plans. 

Residents can sign up on the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org/sound-the-alarm.

Puls wants to remind everyone during Fire Prevention Week (and all year long) that, “Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, so make sure to take the necessary precautions to keep your home and family safe.” λ