Firefighters bring fire prevention message and smoke detectors to local students

Lake City Firefighters Michael Lafferty and Casey Henderson were at Bluff View Elementary School and St. John’s Lutheran School to talk to students about fire safety in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10.

This year’s theme is “Charge Into Fire Safety. Safe Charging is a Superpower,” which “focuses on the everyday charging habits than can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep homes and communities safer,” according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA).

Here are a few tips from the NFPA website:

• Use the cord and charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer.

• Charge on a hard flat surface like a table, desk, or bare floor.

• Unplug your device when it is fully charged.

• Charge large items like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside when possible. Do no block exits when charging.

• Stop using your device if it feels very hot, starts to swell, smells strange, leaks, smokes, or makes popping or hissing sounds.

• When on a plane, keep devices where you can see them while charging, do not charge e-cigarettes or vapes on the plane. Tell a flight attendant if you notice a problem with your device.

At St. John’s on Oct. 8, Lafferty and Henderson demonstrated and explained the gear they wear so that the children won’t be afraid if they ever encounter them on a call.

The firefighters also brought smoke detectors, one for every fifth grader at each school, thanks to a donation from the Lake City VFW (see related story).

People can find out more about Fire Prevention Week at nfpa.org.