On October 21, our students once again participated in an assembly led by firefighter Rocco Carbone, an Englewood, New Jersey fire official.
Several safety tips were shared such as how to properly check or “sweep” one’s bedroom door to see if it is hot; how to ‘Stay Low and Go!’ – a technique for staying below the smoke when exiting a building; and reminders on why and how to call 911 in the event of an emergency.
In the same way that fire drills are held periodically at school, families are encouraged to practice fire drills at home. Planning the escape route and deciding on a meeting place such as a mailbox at the end of a driveway, a tree by a neighbor’s home or any other place that is away from the house or apartment, are important measures for families to discuss prior to an unforeseen fire emergency.
Music teacher, Mary Heveran, who is also our assembly coordinator, shared the following:
“This assembly is presented each year to students in grades preschool 3 through grade 5, by a fire official from the Englewood Fire Department. It is so reassuring to see how much children remember from year to year about things like how to plan your escape, ‘Stay Low and Go!’ and ‘Stop! Drop! and Roll’.”
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage children in a dialogue about some of the safety tips reviewed at the assembly. Please remember to check home smoke alarms and to devise a plan for the family to get out of the home as quickly and safely as possible in the event of a fire emergency.