A number of school children across Cardinia have taken lessons on fire safety home with them, as part of a local CFA project.
The project involved all Grade 3 and 4 pupils within the participating schools to make sure they have a working tested smoke alarm and completed home fire escape plan in each home.
Once a school has completed the assignment and the teachers have marked them off, the local brigade has planned to attend and hand out a red ‘Leave Early’ backpack with a pencil case, ruler, pencil and drink bottle for them to keep.
Cardinia Fire Brigades Group community safety officer and brigade support officer Lisa Hicks commenced the project, so far involving 27 schools within Cardinia.
“It’s astounding that over 50 per cent of homes do not have a working smoke detector or home fire escape plan,” she said.
“Something so simple has proved to save lives.
“It is my goal to get as many Grade 3 and 4 students to jump on board and accomplish such an easy task to save their lives and the lives of their family.
“I am really passionate about this project, and I know it will take some time, including finding further funding to complete, however it is such a worthy project I will continue until I have reached as many Grade 3s and 4s as I possibly can.”
For more information, contact Mrs Hicks at l.hicks@cfa.vic.gov.au
