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JFB Launches Fire Safety Campaign for Child Month

By: , May 7, 2018

The Key Point:

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) on Thursday (May 3) launched a public education campaign as part of activities for Child Month in May.

The Facts

  • Dubbed ‘Jamaica’s Future is on Fire... Mek Wi Fix It,’ the campaign, which will span the entire island, seeks to educate children on fire-safety practices and to extend these to friends and families.
  • Acting Assistant Commissioner for the JFB, Floyd McLean, said that five children have died from fire-related incidents since the start of the year.

The Full Story

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) on Thursday (May 3) launched a public education campaign as part of activities for Child Month in May.

Dubbed ‘Jamaica’s Future is on Fire… Mek Wi Fix It,’ the campaign, which will span the entire island, seeks to educate children on fire-safety practices and to extend these to friends and families.

It involves collaboration with the National Child Month Committee (NCMC).

Acting Assistant Commissioner for the JFB, Floyd McLean, said that five children have died from fire-related incidents since the start of the year.

“What we want to do is establish more awareness among children and adults, particularly parents, of safety measures,” he noted in his address at the launch held at the JFB’s Fire Prevention Headquarters on Ocean Boulevard, downtown Kingston.

The month-long campaign involves a series of ‘Mek Wi Fix It’ road shows, with the first event to take place on Friday (May 4) at Mandeville Square, Manchester.

The road show will travel to Sam Sharp Square, St. James, on May 11; Half-Way Tree Square, St. Andrew, on May 18; and culminate in Brown’s Town, St. Ann, on May 25.

Secretary of the NCMC, Kerri-Ann Palmer, is encouraging members of the public to support the fire-safety campaign.

“The NCP fully endorses the activities of the JFB, and we will be on board with them at their road shows. We support the drive to protect our nation’s children,” she said.

The JFB advises that adults should never leave children unattended around any fire hazard, such as lit stoves, candles, portable heaters or any other heat source.

Children should be taught that fire is not a toy and that they should never pick up matches or lighters if found, but instead alert an adult right away. Also, toddlers and young children should be taught to stay at least three feet away from any heat source or fire hazard.

In case of fire, children should practise the ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’ technique – stop moving, lie down and roll if clothing catches fire.

They should also crawl through rooms and hallways to avoid smoke inhalation; touch doors before opening, and if the door is hot, they should not open it; and never re-enter the building for any reason once safely outside.

Last Updated: May 7, 2018

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