Memorial School Students Practice Fire Safety

Getting them early is important, but not always easy.

Just ask John Talbot, Fire Marshal for . Since early October he has been visiting district kindergarten students, as well as daycare students in East Brunswick, to talk to them about fire prevention and safety with his giant furry mascot, Sparky.

“Most of the kids love Sparky,” he said Thursday following a Fire Prevention Week presentation at . “At the daycares, some of them get scared, and once one starts going then the others can start right after. But for the most part they like it.”

Memorial School students were curious about all of the firefighters’ equipment, asked a lot of questions and even high-fived and hugged Sparky, the spotted Dalmatian mascot.

Fire Prevention Week was Oct. 9 through Oct. 15 and Talbot and fire officials have spent much of the month visiting youngsters to tell them how to prevent fires and what to do if one happens. For Talbot, that means speaking with students (with Sparky) and having a firefighter go through the equipment while putting it on in front of students.

“Usually the kids are smarter about fire safety than adults,” he said.

Among the tips he and firefighters share are: Create an escape plan if there is a fire, have a designated meeting place to go if there is a fire, check fire alarms, and practice fire drills at home.

“The main thing we tell them to do is to find and check the fire detectors,” said Talbot.