Cobb County Safety Village

I went with Justin's class on a field trip this week and thought it was a fantastic trip!!

We went to the Cobb County Safety Village. It has only been open 3 weeks so it was sparkling clean and new. It was really beautiful. It is set up to be a replica of the Marietta Square with a fountain, buildings, the Strand Theater, etc.

Firefighters met us on the bus and we had "Firefighter Hunter" with us all day. He was great with the kids-very informative , interesting, and patient.

First, we went to the Strand Theatre where we talked about car safety, train safety, and bus safety. He asked how many kids sat in booster seats and they all snickered. No one raised their hand, but then he had one of the kids come up and he demonstrated why most of the class should still be in booster seats as they are not 4 ft 9 inches tall. Justin and 2 other kids are tall enough, but everyone else should be in the booster seat. Now, if you know me, you probably know that I am a HUGE proponent of kids sitting safely in the car (in proper seat in the back). Luckily, Justin was big enough or he would be in the booster seat. Then he asked how many kids sit up front and there were some hands raised. Again, I feel very strongly about this so Justin isn't allowed to do this. As a matter of fact, Jennifer just started getting to ride in the front seat sometimes at 12. He talked to them about how they need to ride in the back seat. They talked all about trains and buses too.

Next, we went to a room where we learned about fire safety. They got to practice the stop, drop, and roll. And what to do if a friend's clothes are on fire and they are running. We learned lots about fire safety here.

Then we had Q&A time where the kids could ask all kinds of questions.

Next, we went to a room where everyone got to ride a bike and learn about bike safety. They learned how to properly fit a helmet and why it is so important. They learned how to signal right turn. left turn, and stop while on their bikes. They learned to read signs to follow the rules of the road. This part was funny to watch as it was amazing how hard it was for them to ride with training wheels.

Then we went to the house where they simulate a fire. We identified dangerous things in the living room that may start a fire, then moved to the kitchen where we talked about poisonous substances. At some point, smoke started filling the room and then the alarm went off. Everyone got to the floor and crawled to the wall (You crawl to the wall so that you can find your way out!) Then they felt the door to see if it was hot and went out the door to the meeting place.

We went from there to the bedroom where we talked about what to do during the night when the alarm goes off. The room filled with smoke again, the alarm sounded and everyone dropped to their knees and crawled to the wall. They talked about how to get out of the house and then (THIS WAS THE COOLEST!!!) they actually used a ladder out the window to crawl out the window. There was a fireman to help them out and the area was only about 5 feet down and padded but it was amazing how much trouble the kids had getting out the window even after the firefighters showed them how to do it. It was so good to get to practice this just in case they ever need to use it.

We all met outside at the tree(our meeting place)and then one kid got to call 911 while on speakerphone so everyone could hear what kinds of questions they ask. They talked about never calling 911 except in an emergency and how they could trace the call. But it was really neat for the kids to hear an actual call. We had to tell them the quickest way -My house is on fire!!! They asked the address -911 Main St. Then she had lots of other questions. I assume they either know the number(they use the same phone each time) or 911 Main Street clues them in as to the fact that it is not a real emergency but they acted like it was.

Then we went to a room to talk about medical ops/first aid. We learned not to move someone who had fallen down a flight of stairs. We talked about 911 again. They also learned how to communicate that they are choking and how to do the Heimlich maneuver and when to do it. They learned all kinds of cool stuff in here.

We went to another room where we talked about strangers and what to do if you are home alone and someone comes to the door. We learned who to go to for help, and how to tell if a policeman is a real policeman. We learned more about police and their role in here.

At some point, we had a quick lunch where we got to eat and ask more questions. I had several for him. :)

This was a GREAT field trip, possibly the best ever. While what the learn each day is useful, it is doubtful that that stuff will ever be a life or death matter. The stuff they learned on that field trip could potentially save their lives or others. I am ALL about that!! I am sure I had more fun than any of the kids there that day. I wanted to raise my hand when he would ask a question. Maybe I can go back one day for an adult field trip. But that is along the lines of what I did when I went through the Citizen's Police Academy, or took the handgun clinic, or participating in the CERT program.

And as a side note, we (the CERT Members) are participating in the first annual CERT training/competition in a few weeks. I am SOOO sad that I am going to miss it. Between soccer and Justin's birthday, I will not be able to be there. They are having it at the real fire training academy and it sounds really cool. Maybe next year!!