Kiwanians teach fire safety at hospital

The Accident and Emergency waiting area of the Bustamante Hospital For Children 'came under fire' last Wednesday morning as the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston partnered with the Fire Safety Department of The Jamaica Fire Brigade to address the more than 100 waiting patients, parents, and guardians on fire safety.

Teaching aids were not limited to charts, but included other visuals such as firefighting gear and domestic fire extinguishers.

Despite the various ailments of the children, they showed resilience and the captive audience made the presentation and robust feedback a delightful exchange.

Creating awareness

Four officers and seven Kiwanians engaged the children in a most lively and interactive discussion. The project evolved out of the need to highlight the fascination of children with fire, to create awareness among the various stakeholders, to make them aware of preventative measures, to recommend appropriate actions in the event of an accident, as well as to highlight the baffling and disheartening statistics of dead and injured children occasioned by fire.

The Kiwanians also presented several storybooks and educational games to the children who, as it became evident, had journeyed from all across Jamaica in search of medical attention at the only dedicated hospital for children in the island. The exposure was a welcome distraction from their illnesses and a teaching moment for those who would otherwise miss school.