by Joan Martin

Lower School children learned about fire hazards, hot spots, electrical fires, family fire drills and more at an informative and entertaining presentation by performer/educator Steve Luker. Kindergarten, first and second grade students attended the combination magic show/educational program with their teachers on February 10 in the Meeting House.

Combining magic, comedy and active audience participation, Steve’s 35-minute show was fast-paced and funny. Sprinkled among the disappearing balls, handkerchiefs that changed color, and malfunctioning wands were simple and effective fire prevention and fire safety lessons.

In the first of several skits, a stack of newspapers, a gasoline can, curtains, pajamas, candles, and an aerosol spray can magically appeared from an empty miniature house on an empty cart. Steve explained how all of these items might be fire hazards at the wrong place and the wrong time. He then encouraged the children to talk to their parents and carry out a family fire hazard hunt in their own homes as “hot spot spotters.”

Another exercise with two second graders as participants demonstrated how easily electrical outlets can be misused and potentially cause electrical fires. Once again, Steve urged the children to talk to their parents about electric fire safety in their homes. He also advised the group to check their home’s smoke detectors regularly to ensure that batteries are fresh and functioning.

The skits that really caught the children’s attention featured second graders in play-acting roles. Steve taught the children how to crawl low and under the smoke to a safe exit in the event of a fire. He led another student in a demonstration of how to “stop, drop, and roll” should their clothing catch fire. (Tip: always keep your elbows and hands close to your body.) He told the young audience that they should be aware of two exits out of each room (door/window) and that they should talk to their parents about a family fire drill in their homes.

A veteran actor, Steve engaged his young audience from beginning to end in a manner that will help them remember important life-saving messages. He also provided teachers with advance and follow-up information to review with the children.

The Fire Safety Magic Show has been endorsed by the National Education Association, the
International Association of Fire Chiefs, the U.S. Fire Administration Office, and the NYC Fire Department, among other organizations. A good resource for fire safety follow-up at home is The United States Fire Administration.