Two Lucky Kids in Duluth Get to Ride a Fire Truck to School as a Part of National Fire Prevention Week
As a part of National Fire Prevention week, the Duluth Fire Department held a contest focused on fire safety and preparedness, with the grand prize being a ride on a fire truck to school. The contest had elementary school students around Duluth planning and practicing a plan of how to escape in the event of a fire in their home.
The first winner is a third grader at Piedmont School. She will be picked up at her home and brought to school at 8:05 am on Wednesday, October 10.
The Second winner is a kindergartner at Congdon School (currently at the old Woodland Middle School) he will be picked up and brought to Congdon School at 8:15 am on Wednesday, October 10.
The contest is tied to National Fire Prevention Week, which is happening this week across the country. As a part of the week, the Duluth Fire Department will be offering an open house at fire hall number 8 at 5830 Grand Avenue from 4 pm to 6:30 pm on Thursday, October 11. Families will be able to learn about home fire stafety, check out the fire trucks, tour the fire safety trailer on site, and enjoy some snacks.
The Duluth Fire Department reminds all families to have a plan of how to escape and where to meet in the event of an emergency like a fire. They offer the following tips for families in preparing such a plan:
- Draw a diagram of your home; mark windows and doors, and plan two ways out of each room.
- Plan for every member of your family, including very young or elderly persons who may not be able to get out on their own.
- Be sure your doors and windows open easily from the inside. They should be a way to escape.
- Teach toddlers not to hide from firefighters. A tour of your local fire station will allow them to see firefighters in full turnout gear, and you can explain that these people want to help them. A list of Fire Prevention Month Open Houses at Minnesota Fire Stations will help you plan.
- Teach your kids that if they see smoke, they should crawl low, underneath it, to protect themselves.
- Teach children to touch doors before opening if they’re reacting to a fire alarm; a hot door means that exit is blocked by fire, and they should use the other way out.
- Plan an outside meeting place for everyone in your home, and teach children not to go back inside.