HELENA — Hundreds of second-grade students in the Helena area visited the fire department and learned about fire safety for National Fire Prevention Week.
The Helena Fire Department is teaming up with State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association to promote Fire Prevention Week.
This year's theme is "Smoke alarms: make them work for you."
With the help of Sparky the Fire Dog, students were taught how to stop-drop-and-roll and how to evacuate through a smoke-filled room.
Second-grade student Elliette's favorite activity was crawling through the smoke filled room and says, "It kinda makes me feel like I was getting the experience of how it would feel in a real fire."
According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost three out of five home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms, or smoke alarms that failed to operate.
Kurt Sheehan, City of Helena Deputy Fire Marshall, explained, "What we are trying to get out this year is you know your smoke alarms should be tested weekly or at least monthly by pressing the test button that are on them. your battery should be changed in those at least twice a year and do the manufacturers recommendation. smoke alarms are really only good for about ten years, so after ten years they should be thrown away and a new one installed."
Fire Prevention Week ends on Saturday, October 12.
