It’s not unusual for firefighters to visit Central New York schools to teach children about fire safety. But Wednesday’s visit by Syracuse Firefighters at Doctor King Elementary school took on added importance. Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention Elton Davis had the undivided attention of about two dozen second graders.
"What we came here to talk about today is a serious subject. But we want you to be excited about it. Learning is exciting, right? We want to give you the same type of lesson today in fire safety."
Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds says they never know who they might reach who can pass along the message.
"Some of the conditions some of the kids live in..they don't have access to this information. We're trying to provide an avenue so they do have access. Some of the kids might know this already, but we're just trying to get to the people who don't know."
Monds says they try to make it fun by setting up interactive stations for kids. Deputy Chief Davis put the kids through their paces.
"See what he just did? Stop, drop down on your knees, cover your face, roll back and forth...that's how you're going to put your clothes out."
In addition to burn and injury prevention, Chief Monds says they also focused on carbon monoxide. They’ve been responding to some serious incidents in recent weeks…
"With the high efficiency appliances like the furnace and water heater, when those vent out the side of the house with the snow accumulation, they can't vent properly, and it backs up the carbon monoxide in the house. We respond to those calls very often. Sometimes we find people who are sick and transport them to the hospital."
Just last week, Monds says children were hospitalized with minor symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. He says they’re trying to convey the importance of carbon monoxide detectors.
"Kids at this age, and even some adults, really don't know the difference. They might think a smoke detector is enough. But we want to make sure there are carbon monoxide detectors are in the home. We want to make sure they're on every floor, outside every sleeping area, in the basement."
Monds hopes to get in to more schools and meet with community groups to further spread their fire safety message.
