By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
October 9th marked the first day of Fire Prevention Week and the Clare Fire Department celebrated with Clare and Amish students as usual.
Once again, the kindergarten classes of Clare Primary School walked down to the station where they learned all about being a firefighter, got to use a firehose, learned some fire safety lessons and even learned how to “Stop, Drop and Roll,” a technique to put out flames if their clothing ever catches on fire.
After all of the fun and instruction they all got to pose for a picture before they got a ride back to class in one of the fire trucks.
Firefighters went to the Primary School where they visited each classroom and taught youngsters in grades 1 through 4 some fire safety lessons.
This year’s theme was “Fire Safety in the Kitchen.” The National Fire Protection Association says “49 percent of all home fires involve cooking equipment,” adding “Cooking safety starts with you! Pay attention to fire prevention”.
Clare firefighters also spent a day with 300 Amish students at each of ten area Amish schools to show youngsters the firefighters’ equipment, a fire truck and give them safety lessons.
Clare Chief Jim Chapman also urged, “Be cautious using generators (never inside) to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.”