Raymond Fire Rescue wraps up busy Fire Prevention Month

The Raymond Fire Rescue Department participated in a full month of activities in October, to teach fire safety to children and adults in the community.

For winning Raymond Elementary School's Coloring Contest
during Fire Prevention Month, fourth grader Grace Gillies, her
parents and sister, are congratulated by Raymond Fire-Rescue
Firefighter and Paramedic Carol Dennison.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

This year the department provided fire safety training for 260 children at Raymond Elementary School, and another 63 in local daycare facilities and at the Raymond Village Library. The children at the school and the daycares all received a Halloween trick-or-treat bag with fire safety literature for the parents, including a card which parents can use to reinforce the fire safety messages that the children are taught.

A poster coloring event was held for the elementary school, and Raymond Elementary fourth grader Grace Gillies won a ride in a fire truck for her poster. Students in every grade in the school had a winner, and those winners were presented with a fire extinguisher at the school assembly on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

An Open House was held on Thursday evening, Oct. 12 that was attended by more than 100 family members. Food was served, children got to try their hand at squirting water and CPR compressions, and adults tried using a fire extinguisher.

Here are three things for all families to consider:

· Check your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms monthly to be sure they are operating. Working detectors save lives! Most detectors only have an operating life of seven to 10 years – so check the instructions and replace outdated detectors!

· Make sure everyone knows where the meeting place outside is, and that no one should stop on the way for anything or go back into the home for any reason. Furnishings today burn very hot and fast!

· Everyone should close their doors at night to prevent smoke and flames entering bedrooms. If the smoke alarm goes off, and you cannot evacuate, keep the door closed, open a window, and throw things outside so the firefighters know where you are.

For all families with children, we ask that you review the fire safety videos that Raymond Fire and Rescue Department has online:

· For K-2 students, there is an under 6-minute video showing a firefighter suiting up, and why he is “not scary.” To view, go to: https://www.raymondmaine.org/content/suiting

· For 3 and 4 grades, there is an under 12-minute video which discusses kitchen safety, and how children should escape from their bedrooms at night if there is a fire. To view, go to: https://www.raymondmaine.org/content/kitchen-safety <