Safety Source

Fire safety with shapes

We use shapes every day as adults, although we may not realize it. Think about rearranging the furniture, cleaning out the kitchen cupboards or the refrigerator - all done according to the shape of the items in them, and how they will relate to each other. Road signs and markings make extensive use of different shapes, helping us to recognize them before we can actually read them.

Children are expected to know the basic shapes, recognize them and identify how they form part of other items. They may also be expected to be able to draw the shapes - not perfectly, but certainly recognizably. There are many ways to encourage and help your child to learn about shapes.

Because shapes are all around us, it is easy to play 'Find the Shape' at home, in the car, in the store and elsewhere. Select one shape at a time to concentrate on, rather than trying to find all the different shapes.

Make this a fi­re safety lesson. When you child identifies a smoke alarm as a CIRCLE shape, this provides a great opportunity to test the alarm to be sure it is working and make sure your child recognizes the sound of the alarm and knows what to do. Leave the home and go to your outside meeting place.
The RECTANGLE shape can become a ­re safety lesson, too. When your child
identifi­es a door or window as a rectangle shape, use this to review escape planning and the importance of knowing two ways out of every room.

For more ideas and activities visit sparky.org and sparky.org/parents.

Responsibility of educators in the digital age

Last week I had the opportunity to spend two days in Cambridge, MA, at the MIT Sandbox Summit.  The theme of the conference was “Pixel the Possibilities, Nurturing kids imaginations in the digital age.”

I was inspired by the talent and expertise of not only the speakers at the conference, but also the attendees. I was also reminded about the responsibility we have as educators in this digital age.

NFPA takes great care in making sure that our children's web site, www.sparky.org, is a safe, age-appropriate and ad-free site. Parents can feel comfortable letting kids explore and learn about fire safety in a safe environment. We also know, that in this ever-growing age of digital learning, teachers are utilizing the Sparky site more and more. Teachers often use the sparky.org site to enhance lessons taught from our Learn Not to Burn curriculum. We want them to feel confident when they send a letter home to parent's encouraging them to go to sparky.org to learn more about fire safety, play a game, or create a home fire escape plan, that they are sending them to a safe site.

We would love to hear from teachers about how they use the Sparky site in their classrooms. And also from parents about using the site at home.

 

10 Ways to Have Fun this Spring

It doesn't feel like Spring in New England. In fact, it was 32 degrees this morning. That being said, I am thinking positive that the weather will start to get warmer. This month, Sparky.org is all about getting outside and celebrating Spring. I am always looking for fun activities to do with my kids. This month's free printable gives you 10  Ways to Have Fun this Spring as a family. Of course, a few of the ideas include fire safety. We are NFPA after all. 

As my children get older, activities like this mean even more to me, and them. This piece is not only a great family project but can also be used for after school programs, classrooms, Scout troops and as handouts from the fire department. Let me know if you use it, and how the kids like it.

 

Sparky's cootie catcher game; fun for all

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Check out Sparky's cootie catcher. Print, fold and play. It is that easy.

Get your fortune, jokes and since it is Sparky's cootie catcher, you might just find some fire-safety messages included. The cootie catcher is great for getting kids engaged. You can use for school visits, open houses, scout troops, after school programs and even parties.

Let us know what you think and how you use the game.

Sparky appears on new Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! app

NFPA joins forces with Cupcake Digital, the creators of the new Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! app to offer fire safety tips to kids and families.

The app, Wubbzy’s Fire Engine Adventure, is based on episodes of the Emmy-winning Nick Jr. TV series “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!.” In this story, after a mishap at the Spaghetti and Meatball Factory, Wubbzy
jumps into his toy fire engine to help save the day, but soon learns that it’s best to leave emergencies to the firefighters. The playful app also includes important fire safety tips from the NFPA and Sparky the Fire Dog®, and is available  on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Barnes & Noble for the introductory price of $1.99 (full price is $2.99).

 "NFPA is pleased to join Cupcake Digital to educate children and their families on fire safety," said Judy Comoletti, NFPA's division manager - public education. "In today's world, where children learn in so many different ways, this terrific interactive format provides an engaging, fun way to impart life-saving information."

Check it out and let us know what you think.

 

Crack the Code for Groundhog Day

Tomorrow is February 2, and that means Groundhog Day. It is one of those little holidays I like celebrating with the kids. No presents...no pressure, just a fun event. We make groundhog shaped cookies and play a fun groundhog bingo I found on the web a few years back, and of course a shadow puppet show.


Check out this month's Crack the Code on Sparky.org for a hidden message about groundhogs! To download the PDF just scroll all the way down the Cool to Do page. Have fun. Fingers crossed that Spring is just around the corner.

Sparky has many fun indoor activities for these cold winter days

We are dealing with frigid temperatures this week here in New England.  Everyone is bundled up and children are having to play indoors.  Here is a great indoor activity for kids.  Make a fun winter scene with Sparky the Fire Dog.  It is as easy as print, cut and glue.  "Stay safe this winter.  Keep hats, mittens and everything else away from space heaters," Sparky says.

Looking for other fire safety fun activities and games?  Visit sparky.org!

Wintery craft: fire-safe candleholder

Use a recycled jar and tissue paper to make this snowy candleholder. Of course, a battery-operated candle is a must for this project. Check out this month's Cool to Do on sparky.org for the how-to for this project. We also have a new Crack the Code message. Q: How far should you stay away from a space heater? Crack the code and get the answer.

Follow Sparky the Fire Dog on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

Sparky the Fire Dog® has his own website and a page for parents and educators with lots of fun activities. 

Everyone is using social media these days, including our very own Sparky the Fire Dog.  If you're a Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest user, show Sparky some love and follow his pages and interact with him daily.

Project Holiday, your online toolkit for holiday fire safety

For most of us, the holiday season represents a time for family festivities and good cheer. What few of us consider is that the holiday season is a time when there is an increased risk of home fires.  Many households engage in holiday activities that serve as some of the leading causes of U.S. home fires, including cooking. Christmas trees, candle usage and holiday decorations also significantly contribute to the seasonal causes of home fires. Add to that the hectic nature of the holidays, when people are trying to accomplish multiple tasks at one time, and the chance for home fires grows even further.

NFPA's Project Holiday campaign is a comprehensive online toolkit that has everything from fill-in press releases, talking points for the media, tip sheets, reports and more. You can access informational videos and take our holiday quiz, too. Let us know about the holiday campaigns you do in your community. 

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Download NFPA's free safety tip sheet on winter holiday safety

Put a freeze on winter fires!

Video compares flammability of dry Christmas tree with one watered regularly