Fire safety a big part of Canton fair

July 13--CANTON -- Not all the smoke at the Canton Fireman's Fair comes off a grill.

At the Fire Prevention Smoke House, firefighters were on hand this week to guide children through the smoke-filled trailer in an effort to teach them about fire safety.

Of course, it wasn't real, but fake smoke that filled the Smoke House, but that didn't matter.

The experience was realistic enough to teach the kids an important lesson.

"A fireman walks them through and teaches them what to do if they're caught in a house full of smoke or fire," said fire department president Rich Bardo.

With smoke rising, he said they're told to stay low to take advantage of the pocket of fresh air below.

The children are also taught to beware of hot door handles, which are an indictor of a fire inside a room.

Canton native Elizabeth Miller brought her son, Davian, 3, to the Smoke House Saturday.

She thought the Smoke House was educational.

"I think it's cool," she said.

The children walk with a firefighter up stairs in the simulated smoky interior and then they are helped out a window and down a ladder.

Mary Saunders of Canton was volunteering at the Smoke House as she carefully assisted the children on the ladder.

Blaze, the fire department's fire prevention clown, was also on hand, giving out balloons and helmets.

She and another volunteer said hundreds of children went through the Smoke House during the fair this week.

There were also free raffles for smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, not to mention a whole table full of giveaways of fire prevention material.

Jackie Torrence of Elmira, N.Y., who was there with her granddaughter, Kayla Kreisler, said all the materials were "very nice."

"It teaches kids," she commented.

Fire department treasurer Jodie Bardo was happy with the attendance at the fair this week.

She noted the fair is the fire department's biggest fundraiser.

"I thank everyone for coming and supporting us," she said.

She noted that the money will help with the fire department's biggest expenses, which include insurance and fire gear. The fire department also needs an air pad system.

Bardo said the fire gear has a price tag of $3,500 per person.

The final night of the fair was scheduled to be capped off with a fireworks show.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: [email protected].

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