Children at Riley Elementary School practiced “Stop, Drop and Roll” Tuesday as Great Bend firefighters visited the school. The program was held outdoors so firefighters could demonstrate a real stove-top fire for the annual Fire Prevention Week lesson, offered at all elementary schools during Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme was “Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention.”

Two of the sixth-graders got to use a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire with the help of Firefighter Chance Baker. They learned that PASS stands for the steps to follow when using an extinguisher:

• Pull the pin

• Aim at the base of the fire

• Squeeze the top handle or lever

• Sweep from side to side

They learned that a fire extinguisher is the best tool for extinguishing a grease fire. If the fire is small, slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Water only makes the fire flare up, as firefighter Garrett Tindall demonstrated by creating a dramatic blaze on the cook-top of an old oven. 

They also had a microwave, and firefighters performed an interactive skit where the children demonstrated they know what NOT to put in a microwave – aluminum foil or metal, for example.

Firefighter Bert Treff had two volunteers from the audience help him demonstrate what to do if their clothes catch fire. They covered their faces with their hands and practiced Stop, Drop and Roll.

The children also had a homework assignment. They were asked to test their smoke detectors at home or ask their parents to install working smoke detectors on every level of the home. Families should also have a home fire escape/safety plan with two ways to get out in an emergency and a safe meeting place for all family members determined in advance.

Officially, Fire Prevention Week was Oct. 8-14. However, due to high winds last week, the outdoor programs were rescheduled.