Homework for many schoolchildren in Canada this month will include material to help make their families safer in the event of a fire.
“Fire safety needs to involve every member of the household,” said Bruce Burrell, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. “To start good safety habits at an early age, fire departments and teachers across Canada will work together to educate our kids about fire and the importance of having an escape plan for their home.” The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs’ Great Canadian Fire Drill is the focus this year of Fire Prevention Week this week.
An estimated 75,000 teachers nationwide in Grades K-3 have been sent lesson plans and classroom materials to help teach how to create a fire escape plan. The goal is to get the kids to put their new knowledge to work with their siblings and parents to create and practise an escape plan at home.
The fire chiefs say it make sense for everyone to have a fire escape plan, and they have a website where the necessary materials can be downloaded: www.safeathome.ca/drill. They hope turning it into a contest can generate more interest.