More than 280 children from 62 schools in Kindergarten to Year 2 entered the competition to design a poster focusing on one of three key fire safety messages.
Oliver’s poster with the message “Call 000 in case of a fire” was a collage with an intricately drawn fire engine pasted alongside a fire fighter aiming blue pleated paper water from a hose at a building with vivid red paper flames licking its walls. He had also drawn more flames and smoke escaping from an upper window.
Fire fighters from Newtown fire station came to the school on May 12 to present Oliver his prizes, and they brought the fire engine with them. Sitting in its front seat, Oliver was driven around the back playground, and invited to activate the siren and lights.
Oliver proudly wrote his name on his poster which was taken back to Newtown fire station to go on display as part of Fire & Rescue NSW Open Day on May 20.
In his statement congratulating winners, Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner, Paul Baxter, emphasised: “With more than 4,500 home fires a year, it’s essential for kids to understand the importance of fire safety at a young age. Children are often unaware that a tiny flame can grow into a dangerous fire. They tend to hide when something goes wrong and they rely on parents and carers to tell them what they need to do.”
Every day firefighters attend home fires that could have been prevented with a few simple steps and precautions. As a parent or carer, there are many simple things that can be done to make your home fire safe for children, including:
Don’t leave children alone in the home
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children
- Teach children that fire is a tool, not a toy
- Be aware that younger children may play with fire in their bedroom
- Teach children survival skills such as “Get down low and go, go, go!” and “Stop, Drop, Cover and Roll”
- Develop and practise an escape plan
- Teach children to call Triple Zero (000) in case of an emergency.
