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Students Write About Fire Safety From the 10/22/2009 edition of the Sun-Times... The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) recently sponsored a student essay contest where students in grades kindergarten through eight were asked to write to the theme, "In order for me and my family to stay fire smart and prevent getting burned, we need to ..." The essays were judged by members of the IFSA board of directors where one first and second place winner was selected in grades K-3, 4-6 and 7-8. Hundreds of essays were submitted by students throughout Illinois. Each of the first place winners were recognized at the IFSA Annual Fire Prevention Week Luncheon, Oct. 8, 2009. Congratulations to each of the winners. Below are the winning student essays. 1st Place Grades K-3 In order for me and my family to stay fire smart and prevent getting burned we need to practice every month. The kitchen is the most dangerous place. Always change your smoke detector with fresh batteries every six months. If you hear a loud noise that goes beep, beep, beep, you should crawl and feel the door handle with the back of your hand and leave to call 911. - Vivian Cifluentes, 3rd Grade
2nd Place Grades K-3 In order for me and my family to stay fire smart and prevent getting burned, we need to always be careful around stoves, and ovens. If you see something burning call 9-1-1 fast because it could get bigger and hurt you! Don’t go by any smoke or you can get sick. I will also promise to help my family and friends, to stay safe because fires are very dangerous. So watch out for fires! - Julia Ortiz, 3rd Grade
1st Place Grades 4-6 In order for my family and me to stay fire smart and prevent being burned we need to talk about fire and what not to do with it. For example, "don’t play with it". We need to know where all the exits are in our house in case we get trapped. We should practice fire drills. In case there’s lots of smoke we need to lie down so we could breathe and check if the door is warm to see if it’s burning on the other side. That’s how my family and I could stay fire smart, by being cautious and practicing fire safety. - Oscar Garcia, 5th Grade
2nd Place Grades 4-6 In order for my family to be fire smart and prevent us from getting burned or worse, we have a safety plan in place. My parents have installed both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Our smoke detector batteries are changed twice a year, when we spring forward and fall back. In addition we have a fire exit plan and know where to meet once we exit our house. If we are in need of help, we know to call 911 and the importance of stop, drop, and roll. So be fire smart, have a plan, and keep those you love safe. - Toni Garza, 5th Grade
1st Place Grades 7-8 In order for me and my family to stay fire smart and prevent getting burned, we need to know about fire safety. Every house should have working smoke detectors that are checked regularly. The batteries should be checked twice a year to make sure they work properly. We also need to have an escape plan that everyone knows. Once out, there should be a meeting place. Fire basics such as "stay low and go" are essential in emergencies also. So as you see, fire safety is very important. My family and I need to know our escape plan and other basics like feeling a door before exiting and staying low. Knowing these things could one day save our lives. - Colleen McInerney, 8th Grade
2nd Place Grades 7-8 Weeoo! Weeoo! Do you hear that? It sounds like someone is having a fire! In order for me and my family to stay fire smart and prevent getting burned, we need to have a fire plan, and know what causes a fire. A fire plan will help because if a fire does occur you will know what to do. An example is when a fire occurs exit the house and meet by the mailbox in the front yard. Knowing what causes a fire helps because it prevents fires from happening. Knowing not to play with matches and gasoline are examples of this. Now you know some things you can do to stay fire smart and prevent getting burned. Well bye! - Taryn Weatherly, 7th Grade Hardin County Jr. High, Elizabethtown, IL Activities Follow Vivian, Toni and Colleens’ advice and check all of the smoke alarm batteries at home. Have a family discussion about fire safety as Oscar suggests and has had with his family. Julia points out the importance of being safe around stoves and ovens. Make a list of five fire safety rules you should practice in the kitchen. Create a fire escape plan like Taryn suggests and remember to identify a meeting place outside. Partners in Prevention Download this special report. |