Fire Safety
The leading cause of house fires yearly are started by cooking activities. Does that surprise you? Between 2014 - 2019, about 172,900 home fires per year occurred, 550 people died, and 4,820 people were injured. Unattended cooking was the leading ( #1 ) cause of these fires. More than one-forth (1/4 ) of the people killed by cooking fires were sleeping at the time (that's more than 138 people). These fires and deaths could have been prevented. Knowing how to prevent fires and what to do if you have a fire is important and can save your life.
WATCH and LISTEN - Watch the video two times.
Now, LISTEN and READ along with the dialogue. Write down new vocabulary and the meanings of those words. They are at the bottom of the dialogue.
PENELOPE: Hey, Anna. What are you reading?
ANNA: I’m reading about fire safety. Ms. Weaver named me fire safety monitor.
PENELOPE: But the only time we have a fire emergency is when someone burns a piece of toast.
ANNA: That is true. But fire safety is very serious – very serious. If there is a fire emergency, I have to help everyone out of the building.
PENELOPE: Well then, if I were you, I’d learn as much as possible.
ANNA: You’re right. And I know just who to call!
PROF. BOT: Hmm, I wonder where Anna’s going. Today we are reviewing conditionals and learning helpful language for emergencies.
PROF. BOT: If Anna studies hard, she’ll be a great fire safety monitor! That’s a conditional. It uses “if” to show that something is true only when something else is true.
PROF. BOT: Let’s find out where Anna is going. And if you want to learn fire emergency language, keep watching!
(Two firefighters welcome Anna to their firehouse.)
ANNA: Hi, Firefighter Jones.
FIREFIGHTER JONES: Hey, how are you, Anna?
ANNA: I’m well, thanks. How are you? Hi, Firefighter Hatcher.
FIREFIGHTER HATCHER: Hi, Anna. How are you?
ANNA: I’m well, thanks.
FF H: Welcome to our firehouse.
ANNA: Thank you.
FF H: Come on in.
ANNA: Thanks.
FF H: This is where the firefighters eat. This is where we rest. This is where we exercise. This is where the firetrucks are parked and maintained.
ANNA: This place is beautiful.
FF H: You know, the firehouse is a firefighter’s second home.
ANNA: Firefighter Jones, Firefighter Hatcher: Can you tell me some ways to prepare for a fire emergency?
FF H: Sure, Anna. There’s one really important thing you can do: Install a fire alarm. Test it monthly and make sure the batteries are fully charged.
ANNA: Let’s talk about those emergency exits.
FF J: In your home, office and schools, know where your emergency exits are located.
ANNA: What about fire extinguishers?
FF J: Everyone should know how to use a fire extinguisher. Have one handy and practice using it.
ANNA: What if we need to get out?
FF J: You should have an evacuation plan. And practice getting out safely with fire drills.
ANNA: If I am in a building and it’s on fire, should I use the elevator?
FF H: No. Always use the stairs.
ANNA: What other safety tips should I know?
FF J: Stay low. Smoke rises. The air is clearer close to the ground.
ANNA: Stay low. Anything else?
FF H: If you touch a door and it’s hot, don’t open it. There might be a fire on the other side.
ANNA: What do I do if my clothes catch on fire?
FF H: Do not run. If you run, the fire will burn faster. You must stop, drop and roll.
ANNA: Thanks so much! I’ve learned a lot. And I can’t wait to share this information with others.
FF H: Thanks for coming, Anna.
FF J: It’s been a pleasure meeting you.
(Anna is back at the office talking to Penelope.)
PENELOPE: So, Anna, how was the visit to the fire station?
ANNA: I learned a lot! And firefighters have a very difficult job.
PENELOPE: Do you smell smoke?
ANNA: No. So, like I was saying, I learned how to …
PENELOPE: Anna, I smell smoke.
ANNA: If you smell smoke, call the fire department!
(Anna begins to evacuate her coworkers.)
ANNA: If you smell smoke, get out of the building. Come on people, we have a fire emergency! Leave your things and evacuate calmly and quickly. Very good. Very good.
ANNA: We have a fire emergency. No, take the stairs Let’s get out. Let’s get out safely.
(Anna and coworkers stand outside of the building.)
ANNA: We got out in less than 6 minutes! Good job, people! Wait. Where’s Pete?
PENELOPE: I know where he is. I’ll go get him.
ANNA: No! Never go back into a burning building! The fire department is coming. Stay calm, Pete. Help is on the way! Help is on the way!
Anna takes her job as fire safety monitor very seriously. She visits a local fire station.
New Words
alarm – n. a device that makes a loud sound as a warning or signal
catch on fire – v. to begin to burn
clearer – adj. not blocked by anything (comparative form of clear)
close – adj. near in space
door – n. a movable piece of wood, glass, or metal that swings or slides open and shut so that people can enter or leave a room, building or vehicle
emergency – n. an unexpected and usually dangerous situation that calls for immediate action
evacuation – n. the action of leaving or removing someone from a dangerous place
exit – n. something, such as a door, that is used as a way to leave a place
fire drill – n. an activity in which people practice leaving a place quickly so that they will know what to do if there is a fire
fire department – n. an organization for preventing and putting out fires
fire extinguisher – n. a metal container filled with chemicals that is used to put out a fire
fire department -- the department of a local authority in charge of preventing and fighting fires
firehouse – n. a building in which the members of a fire department and the equipment used to put out fires are located
fire station – n. another word for firehouse
handy – adj. near or close
install – v. to make a machine or service ready to be used in a certain place
low – adv. at or to a low place or level
open – v. to move a door or window so that an opening is no longer covered
maintain – v. to keep something in good condition by making repairs or correcting problems
monitor – n. a person who has the job of checking or watching some activity or behavior
rise – v. to move upward
safety – n. freedom from harm or danger
smoke – n. the cloud of black, gray, or white gases and dust that is produced by burning something
stay – v. to continue to be in a specified state, condition, or position
touch – v. to put your hand, fingers, et cetera on something or someone