Graduates recieve fire safety kits

Countryside Fire Protection District provided Graduation Life Safety Kits to the Vernon Hills High School Class of 2016 for the ninth consecutive year.

"As seniors graduate and go on to college, we want them to continue practicing the fire and life safety behaviors we have taught them since kindergarten. We want them to be safe while they are at their new home away from home," Fire Chief Jeff Steingart said.

According to the Center for Campus Fire Safety, at least 172 college students have died in student housing fires in the United States since January of 2000; 80 percent of the fire fatalities occur in off-campus housing.

"I believe that part of the issue with fire safety awareness on college campuses may be from a lack of consciousness and false belief that anything could ever happen to them," stated Tony Rodkey, Countryside Fire public education coordinator.

There is a large push to provide information about fire safety issues on college campuses across the United States. Students and parents often assume that every room in an on-campus student residence is covered by an automatic sprinkler system, while others assume their college students have been educated about fire prevention.

Prospective students and parents may not know what questions to ask, or even think to ask, school administrators about the fire safety measures they have in place when they visit campuses.

Countryside Fire Protection District, in partnership with Toshiba Medical Research Institute, DaVita Village Health, Sam's Club and Wal-Mart, The Monster Company, Buffalo Wild Wings, Zoup and Allstate, is providing a fire and life safety program that will help remind students of being fire safe while away at school.

"We want them to make a lifestyle change that will stay with them forever. Fires are dangerous whatever age you are and we want to raise awareness for everyone," Steingart said.

The graduation gift has many items to make a student think about fire and life safety while they are away at school. The package includes a backpack to hold a smoke alarm, power strip, flameless candle, band aid dispenser, safety glasses, N95 mask, cap light, hand sanitizer, FEMA Get Out Stay Alive brochure, a College Housing Safety Checklist and other items that will promote safety. The young adults received their kits following the graduation rehearsal June 1.

Graduates are encouraged to participate in the Campus Firewatch Media Project. This project was launched for high school seniors and college students across the nation to become engaged in learning and share more about fire safety. Students who share their experience and get their story published are awarded a $500 stipend.

For more information, contact Tony Rodkey at (847) 367-5511 or visit www.countrysidefire.com.

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