Fire Safety – It’s Everyone’s Job to Be Prepared!

This month we have been discussing fire safety in our classes. Though not always the most exciting of topics, it is an important thing to review with students so they, and their families, can be prepared in an emergency. In our lower-level speaking classes, we are reviewing how to call 911 to report a fire and tell the emergency responders the address. In our higher-level speaking classes, we are making fire-escape plans that students can use to get out of their homes if there is a fire. We are also discussing heating and how to safely use fireplaces and space heaters.

Our reading classes are also hard at work studying fire safety. In our lower-level classes, we are learning to read and write fire-safety-related words such as smoke, alarm, escape, batteries, heater and many more. Our higher-level classes are writing out the steps of the students’ fire escape plans using sequencing words such as first, next, then and finally. Additionally, the highest level classes are reading about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to learn about American history and the importance of fire safety.

Here are some of the most important fire safety tips our students have learned:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom of your home, in the hallways outside of the sleeping areas and near (but not in) the kitchen. Make sure there is at least one smoke alarm on every floor.
• Test all the smoke alarms once a month to make sure they are working. Change the batteries in the alarms twice a year.
• Contact the Volunteer Helpline by dialing 211 should you need a free smoke alarm.
• Never use the stove/oven for heat. Use a space heater!
• Keep the stove free of oil and don’t place flammable objects like tea towels or potholders on the stove or under the oven.
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable things like paper, clothing, hair, animals and people!
• Make a fire escape plan. Make sure that when possible, there are at least 2 ways out of every room.
• Practice the plan with your family during the day and at night.
  

Kate Harris ESL Instructor & Career Navigator

Pronouns: she/her/hers

LSS Center for New Americans

P:  605-731-2000  | F:  605-731-2059

300 East 6th Street, Suite 100  Sioux Falls, SD 57103

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