Be Aware as a Responsible Citizen
This section will help you discover the answer to this question:
- What do you know about fire safety?
Facts and Myths of Fire
Try these activities to challenge your knowledge!
Seeing is Believing
Have you ever heard something like this, “Don't worry, I know what I'm doing! If the fire ever starts getting out of control, I'll just put it out!”
Watch the video below to hear how quickly fire can spread, then watch the next video to see for yourself.
Spencer Beach is a person who knows first hand just how quickly a fire can get out of control. See what he says says about playing with fire.
Can you pick the Fire Starter?
Is there a particular type, or age of person who set fires? Are there more males than females? Watch the video to find out more.
Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #1
Let People Know! Stop Children From Starting Fires!
In Alberta from 1995 to 1999, 468 major fires were caused by children playing with fire. The total cost of damage caused by these fires was more than $14 million dollars, and six people died in these fires.
Your Task...
In groups of 3 or 4 prepare a presentation for one of the following groups:
- grade 1 to grade 3 students or
- a group of parents
Your presentation should give the facts about child fire play in a way that will grab your audience's attention and make them aware of the facts and statistics around the issue. Think about using PowerPoint/ Hyper Studio, digital pictures, videos, interviews, guest speakers, role play, etc. Don't forget to make your presentation appropriate for your audience. A presentation to a group of parents will be very different than one to young children.
Great Resource
Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #2
Fire Helps Us, But Treat it With Respect!
Did you know that we use fire in some form every day from making our toast to cooking our supper?
Make a List
With a partner, make a list of things we use regularly that use some sort of controlled fire. Think about your house, your school and forms of transportation. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget to treat all these things that help us with respect. Anything that creates heat, or electricity can also cause a fire if used carelessly.
Make a Fire Safety Manual
With your partner, create a pamphlet, either printable or digital that informs people about using all these things safely. Remember, this pamphlet should not just be printed text. For example, you might include pictures or diagrams, or use your imagination.
Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #3
Who's Using Their Fire Alarms? A Graphing Project
Calgary began its Smoke Detector Program 10 years ago in an attempt to make people aware how important a working smoke alarm can be in saving lives. As a class, collect data about smoke alarm use in everyone's homes. Conduct a survey by asking your parents the following questions:
- How many smoke alarms do you have in your house?
- Is there a smoke alarm on every level?
- Have you tested the smoke alarm in the last month?
- Have you changed the battery in the last year?
Your Task
Once you have all the data collected put the numbers together somehow, so that everyone can see the results.
In pairs create a chart using excel or other graphing program that shows the results clearly. Use different colours for each question and decide which type of chart shows the information most clearly.
Analyzing the Information
With your partner write one or two paragraphs explaining the results shown on your chart. Decide whether the results are positive or negative and suggest ways that people might improve their smoke detector safety awareness.