By Kevin Cole
Omaha World-Herald, Neb.
OMAHA, Neb. — While an Omaha mother was reading up on how to work her new kitchen fire extinguisher Sunday, her 11-year-old son got hands-on experience putting out flames.
Jeff Thompson learned how to aim and shoot a fire extinguisher at the Family Safety Day at the Scott Conference Center on the south campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A Bellevue firefighter explained how to work the extinguisher and stood near as the boy practiced on a portable fire pit.
“If I hadn’t come here today, then I wouldn’t have learned how to use an extinguisher safely,” Jeff said. “It was easy to do.”
Jamie Hudnall brought Jeff and her niece, McKenzie Miller, 4, to the safety exposition at 6450 Pine St. to learn what to do in case of fire.
“I really like the interactive fire things they do with the kids,” Hudnall said. “I think it’s really important that they know what to do if there’s fire at home.”
How to escape from, extinguish and avoid fires were topics of safety day, but there were plenty of other activities.
Che Thompson of the Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance said the booth she shared with the Douglas County Health Department inside the conference center had a steady of flow of parents asking how to have their children tested for lead poisoning.
“It’s really on the parents’ minds right now with the toy recalls,” Thompson said. “We’re able to direct them to the Health Department, where they can get a voucher for a free test at the (University of Nebraska) Medical Center.”
A simple prick of the child’s finger will yield enough blood to tell within 24 hours whether the child has lead poisoning and to what degree, she said.
Outside the center, an OPPD crew demonstrated the dangers of high-voltage power lines. A trailer with power lines strung between two 6-foot poles helped the audience visualize the dangers posed by power lines.
“We try to teach kids to stay away from downed power lines and what electrical current can do,” said Rich Brown, a retired lineman.
Brown said adults also need reminders about the dangers of household electricity.
“More people get killed each year from secondary household voltage than linemen who are working with high voltage,” Brown said. “Things like keeping a plugged in hair dryer next to the bath tub happen way too often.”
In between exhibition booths, the Salvation Army was distributing thousands of hot dogs and bags of potato chips. Nearby, musical acts and clowns entertained as people ate lunch.
David Sandstedt of Bennington and his daughter, Caitlin, 6, paused while gathering points toward a Brownie merit badge.
“All of this safety training is so valuable,” Sandstedt said. “We’re learning things like how to get out of the house safely and having fun at the same time. I think it’s pretty great.”
Copyright 2007 Omaha World - Herald