Red Cross teaches students about emergency preparedness

American Red Cross volunteers from the Truckee, Reno and Tahoe branches visited Lahontan Elementary School on April 27 to teach the students about emergency preparedness.

“Prepare with Pedro: Home Fire,” listed some steps to help them make a plan with their families in case of a fire at home.

Pedro the Penguin gave silent encouragement and applauded with his flippers while the volunteers explained the steps.

First the students were reminded of the loud beeping sound a smoke alarm makes when there’s smoke in the house and the test button was explained. The presenter also said the Red Cross will give families a free smoke alarm if theirs needed replacing or if their home didn’t already have one.

The next step was to “Get low and GO!” The phrase is a way to remember to bend low to walk or crawl below the smoke and get outside of the burning home in less than two minutes.

Once outside, students were told they should go to their family’s pre-arranged meeting place such as a tree or a neighbor’s home. Then an adult would call 911 to alert the fire department.

Finally, the group practiced a slow breathing technique for the count of three as a way to calm down during an emergency.

A quick review followed with the students answering yes or no with a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” sign.

Pedro gave flipper high-fives as the students exited the room by bending low and walking under tablecloths representing imaginary smoke.