Kelowna

Smart children stay safe.

The Kelowna Fire Department is reaching out to children as part of Burn Awareness Week, which runs from February 1 to 7.

Fire Chief Rene Blanleil says the more children know about how fires and burns can happen, the more they can stay safe and prevent injuries.

“We’re encouraging schools and families with young children to go online for safety tips, fun activities and videos. Students are also invited to enter the annual Burn Awareness Week poster contest for an opportunity to win cash for their school, a pizza party for their class, and a prize for themselves,” says Blanleil.

He says the contest is open to any student residing in British Columbia, from kindergarten through to grade seven.

“Each year an estimated 9,000 children in Canada visit hospital emergency room for burns, and almost half of these have suffered scalds from hot liquids.”

Burn Awareness Week is sponsored by the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.

Residents can drop donations to the Kelowna Professional Fire Burn Fund at the main fire hall on Enterprise Way.

Link: Burn Awareness Week website