Every year during October, firefighters from Salisbury Township’s east side and west side fire companies take a message of fire safety to students in schools in the township.

With Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joshua Wells as the lead presenter, youngsters from preschool through fourth grade in public, parochial and private schools located in the township hear the message of fire safety and how the students can promote safe practices in their own homes.

The presentations include the usual messages that stress the hazards of children playing with matches or lighters, how to use 911 emergency calling, “stop, drop and roll” if clothing catches fire and the importance of having smoke detectors in every bedroom.

A popular feature of the presentations include firefighters changing from street clothes into full personal protective gear.

Wells stressed the sight and sounds of firefighters breathing from air tanks coming into a smoky fire situation where youngsters may be involved can be “scary,” but hiding is not an option.

“Firefighters are your friends and they come to help you,” Wells emphasized.

Firefighters in their full gear then crawl on hands and knees and circulate among the youngsters, giving “high-fives” to emphasize the point.

This year, Wells included a message of “Charge into Fire Safety” that is part of the National Fire Protection Association school fire safety programs nationwide. The message centers around the use of rechargeable lithium batteries in the home. Wells stressed lithium batteries are becoming increasingly part of powering countless items that have become part of daily living.

Wells said rechargeable lithium batteries also come with their own unique problems. Overcharging and overheating of batteries can lead to dangerous fire hazards.

Wells cautioned lithium batteries for e-scooters, hoverboards and other toys, tools and gadgets should never be recharged unattended or in closed living spaces.

With pleasant weather during the school presentations, youngsters delighted in getting outside for close-up looks at fire equipment and the equipment they carry. Firefighters also gave the youngsters an opportunity to use a hose line to put water on imaginary fires.

“We’ve been presenting these programs in our schools for decades,” Wells said.

“We know our school visits have an impact on young students and the opportunity to interact in a positive way is one of the highlights of our year for our volunteer firefighters.”