Manchester Fire department Eighth District to Teach Fire Safety in Schools For Fire Prevention Week

MANCHESTER – The Manchester Fire Department Eighth Utilities District is proud to announce that it is Fire Prevention time of the year again and firefighters and other volunteers will be visiting schools in the Eighth District to teach children about fire safety. Robertson Elementary and Cornerstone Christian schools will be visited on Tuesday, October 25; Bowers Elementary and St. Bridget’s schools on Thursday, October 27 and Waddell Elementary School on Friday, October 28.

In 1925 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed that the week of October 9th would be known as Fire Prevention Week to commemorate The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and an even larger fire in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. The Chicago fire, lasting two days killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings. Burning on the same day, the Wisconsin fire caused even more devastation.

The Eighth District Fire Department has a long and proud history of teaching fire safety in the schools in recognition of Fire Prevention Week. Using characters and media the children are familiar with, the lessons of dialing 911 In case of emergency, Stop, Drop and Roll if your clothing catches fire and exiting the home in case of fire are taught.

The Fire Department urges all families to have an Escape Plan out of their homes that includes two exits out of each room and a designated Meeting Place outside. Once out, Never Go Back In. Practicing your escape drill regularly could be lifesaving.

This year the final of a three year focus on smoke alarms by the National Fire Protection Association, entitled “Don’t Wait Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.” The fire department instructs all residents that in addition to changing the battery every six months and monthly testing that residents turn over their smoke alarms to find the date of manufacture. If the date is ten years or more old, the alarm needs to be replaced.

The Eighth District has a free smoke alarm program. For more information call 860-643-6209 Ext. 826