FLW Family event brings Fire Prevention Week to a close

By Derek Gean (Leonard Wood)October 19, 2017

FLW Family event brings Fire Prevention Week to a close
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Michael Campbell, Fort Leonard Wood fire inspector, teaches children how to feel if their bedroom door is hot in the event of a house fire in the Fire Safety Trailer at the Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department's Fire Safety Trailer at the Exchange Satur... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
FLW Family event brings Fire Prevention Week to a close
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fire Prevention Week closed out with fun, Saturday, as the Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department hosted Fire Fest on the Exchange parking lot.

Fort Leonard Wood firefighters spent the week in area schools spreading the word about fire prevention and safety. The fest gave them the opportunity to reinforce the message with post Families.

"We usually like to do an open house, so this year we did a Fire Fest," said Kevin Curtis, assistant fire chief. "We got all the firefighters and fire trucks out here to see our community."

Hundreds of people spent the afternoon on the parking lot. Children could be seen climbing in the fire trucks, checking out firefighting equipment, and hanging out with Sparky the Fire Dog. The Mobile USO was on hand providing a free lunch. The fire department also provided children with games and brought in a St. Louis band, Bucket List, to perform.

Children also had the opportunity to explore the Fire Safety Trailer with their parents, one of only two in Missouri.

Curtis said the Fire Safety Trailer is a "great" teaching tool for children. One side is designed to teach kitchen safety, while the other side is designed for bedroom safety.

"Most fires start between 10 at night and 2 in the morning," Curtis said.

Shameka O'Neal-Ard accompanied her children, ranging in age from 10 months to 5, through the Fire Safety Trailer. She said she is glad they could participate in the learning opportunities provided through Fire Fest.

"I really want my kids to know what to do in case of a fire," O'Neal-Ard said.

Making sure Families know what to do is what it's all about, Curtis said.

He said the primary message for Families is to make sure smoke detectors are in good, working order. "Change the batteries twice a year. Make sure you have a good escape or evacuation route. Make sure you know how to call 9-1-1."

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