FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Springfield Fire Department is wrapping up Fire Prevention Month with the final week of visits to Springfield elementary schools. To date, firefighters have visited 59 public and private schools and met with 13,039 students to discuss fire and life safety at the pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade levels.
Through the month of October, fire companies have been scheduled to visit each elementary school in Springfield, delivering age-appropriate curriculum in an effort to educate and keep our children safe from fire. Students have also had fire safety educational material sent home with them to share with their families.
“Ask your children about what they have learned this month about fire safety and talk with them about what they have learned from our firefighters and how important it is that they, and you, know what to do if there is a fire in your home,” said Fire Chief David Pennington. “One message we share in the schools is how to report an emergency when calling 9-1-1,” Pennington said.
The Springfield Fire Department teaches all children to know what to do in case of a fire and how to “get out and stay out” when there is a fire in their home.
“As a reminder, working smoke alarms are the best way to be alerted to a fire in your residence. Smoke alarms should be present in each are of the home used as bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement,” said Pennington.
If you don’t have working smoke alarms or yours are older than 10 years old, the Springfield Fire Department can provide them to you free of charge. To request a free smoke alarm, call 417-874-2300 or email [email protected].
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For media only: For more information, call the Springfield Fire Department media line at 417-874-2301.