Officials urge fire safety during quarantine

Following Gov. John Bel Edwards’ announcement of aggressive measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana, local officials and the Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) are reminding families about fire safety, especially for children.

“With schools out of session for 30 days and now even more public activities being limited, kids will be looking for activities to occupy their time at home. Sometimes, that can lead to kids getting into mischief, either out of boredom or curiosity, and that mischief can include playing with fire,” said State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning, “We encourage parents and guardians to keep a close eye on kids’ activities. But most importantly, we want adults to warn juveniles not only of the dangers of playing with fire, but the consequences of fire, including to property, their lives and the lives of others, as well as their futures.”

The SFM also encourages continuing to teach children about more

common fire safety messages including knowing what a smoke alarm

sounds like and how to react when they hear a smoke alarm sound. That

reaction includes knowing two ways out of every room in your home.

“Remember fire can happen day or night,” said Jennings Fire Department Fire Prevention Officer Hunter Crader. “We want to remind everyone to go over fire safety in the home including checking working smoke alarms and fire escape plans. Remind parents to keep close supervision on children and keep them away from any flame or heat source.”

The SFM has the following tips for families:

• Adults should be mindful of keeping smoking materials out of the reach

of children. This includes lighters and matches.

• Children should be educated on the dangers of playing with appliances

with ignition sources like stoves, ovens and kerosene lamps.

• Let children know if they locate firestarting materials or observe other

children engaging in unsafe behaviors involving fire, that they should notify an adult immediately.

notify an adult immediately.

“Want the community to know that with the virus amongst us, the Jennings Fire Department, along with area fire departments, will still be available to serve the community for emergencies,” Crader said.

For any questions regarding fire safety in the city of Jennings, call JFD at (337) 821-5507.