Few people are aware of the risks of fire and electrical hazards among children and their families. Records indicate that in 2011, U.S. Fire Departments responded to a fire on average every 23 seconds and more than 370,000 home structure fires were reported. It is also reported that our youngest and oldest demographics are exceptionally vulnerable to deaths and injuries resulting from these type of fires. In 2007, nearly 510 children under the age of 15 died as a result of fires and another 1,900 children were injured.
Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) () is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to promoting fire and electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace. While ESFI believes that educating children on these topics is of the utmost importance, it also recognizes that the school day is already full. Finding the time to teach these topics can be a challenge. To help reduce injuries and fatalities across the nation and save teachers preparation time, ESFI has developed a comprehensive classroom toolkit designed for Grades 3-5, containing print and online education materials to teach fire and electrical safety in your classrooms.
Developed materials are aligned with National Education Standards in Science and Reading, require no advance preparation, and cover a broad range of topics that will help students understand critical principles in reference to fire and electrical safety at home.
Classroom toolkit includes:
Some of the core National Education Standards in Science and Reading are:
Join ESFI in its efforts to help keep your students and their families safe. ESFI urges all district level administrators to share this announcement with every elementary school principal and every 3rd to 5th grade teacher within each school district.