The issue is really one of handing out leaflets or brochures at a parade. That is not effective. Teaching people about fire safety requires a presentation, demonstration, etc. Anyone can understand PASS for example. It is a mnemonic for 1) pull the pin 2) aim 3) squeeze the 'trigger' 4) sweep the fire with the spray from the spout. It pertains to fire extinguishers and their use. However, giving someone that mnemonic without giving that person the chance to operate the extinguisher on a real fire is not very bright. There are other things of that nature that are not effective unless they are practised. There are five 'main' types of fire extinguisher. They are referred to with letters in Canada and the letter pertaoins to the type of material that is burning and has to be extinguished. The mnemonic: Class A is for any fire that produces ash (like paper, wood, grass). Class B is for Oil that Boils (petroleum products0. Class C is for fires where what's burning carries a current (electrical fires). Class D is for metals, and one I just learned about if Class K for kitchen fires (different than the ABC extinguisher in that it causes much less damage to the kitchen). Knowing that is nice, but it will not stick with people unless they use it in situ.

If firefighters made remarks about the people in the parade, IMO they were wrong to do so. But then it wasn't too bright to waste time at a parade handing out pieces of paper, either. Better to spend the money going to schools or other places where there are lots of people who would benefit from the teaching. Maybe the fire department could ask if they can have a half hour of a church service to spread the message.

How many of y'all have 1) smoke detectors in your houses/apartments, and do they work, and you know they work because you test them at least every month, right? and 2) you and your familiy have an evacuation plan with alternate routes for escape (in the event one way is blocked by fire) in place and you practice it at least four times a year, right? Just asking. (I saw yesterday--think it was the Chicago FD on TV news--that all the deaths for this year caused by fire since January 1, 2006 occurred in houses and apartments that either had no smoke detectors or smoke detectors that weren't working. A word to the wise there.)

Anyway, that's all I have to say on this thread. Please keep safe.