Fire Prevention Week

In honor of Fire Prevention Week, we have spent last week and this week learning and understanding the importance of
•  fire safety
•  exit plans for our schools and homes
•  the importance of meeting places
•  "Stop, Drop, and Roll"
and
•  "Get Low and Go"

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, that left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.  The fire began in October 8th, but continued into, and did most of its damage, on October 9th 1871.  According to popular legend, the fire broke out after a cow kicked over a lamp, setting first the barn and then the whole city on fire.  Recent research has helped to debunk this version of events, however.

This event in 1871 marked the beginning of Fire Prevention Week.  Each year, the President declares a Fire Prevention week theme.  This year's theme is "Working Fire Alarms Save Lives".  In honor of Fire Prevention Week, the ICFD came to visit our school.  They put on a fun play with songs and puppets.  We learned that our homes should have fire alarms in each bedroom and on each floor.  Batteries are an important part of smoke detectors and fire alarms and that we should test our fire alarms monthly.

Today, the Cottontails will be taking home their Fire Safety Coloring Book.  Ask them about their hard work.  They will also take home a Fire Inspection Checklist and a Home Fire Escape Plan worksheet that you can work together to complete.

The Cottontails were also introduced to a NEW book bin in our classroom library - Fire Safety.  The students were thrilled by the new choices and enjoyed choose books as a Center Time option.

Check out Iowa City's Sparky the Fire Dog website for fun games and printables.

To learn more about Fire Prevention week, click THIS link to visit the National Fire Protection Association website.

This weekend, check out our local fire department.  The Coralville Fire Department is hosting an Open House on Sunday, October 12th from 12:00 - 4:00.  View the fire trucks and other rescue vehicles, and firefighter equipment, talk with local firefighters, learn about fire prevention, play games, and enjoy popcorn and refreshments in honor of Fire Prevention Week.  The event is FREE and open to the public.

Coralville Fire Station #1

1501 Fifth Street

Coralville, Iowa

319.248.1835