Operation EDITH is a fire-safety program that seeks to encourage the parents of young children to talk to their kids about the importance of fire safety. The cornerstone of the campaign is Exit Drill In The Home, thus the name "EDITH". The purpose is to educate early elementary school children and their families about the life-saving value of having a fire escape plan from their home.

Why have a fire safety program for young children?

Tragically, children age five and under are twice as likely to die in fires as are older children and adults. Statistics show that for children ages 1-4, fires and burns are the leading cause of unintentional injury.

• The risk of residential fire death in United States for children under age five is 1 in 33,671; for the population age 5 and over, it is 1 in 80,748.

• On average a child under age 5 dies in a residential fire every day.

• Fire is the third leading cause of unintentional death for children under age 5.

Why is the problem so pronounced with younger children?

Many young children die in fires because they instinctively try to hide from smoke and flames.  Fear often causes children to hide in a closet or under a bed in the mistaken belief that they are safe from the fire. Fear also causes many children to escape to safety without telling anyone about the fire. They may fear blame, so they do not alert an adult to the fire. Other children left in the home often die or are injured.

What is the goal of Operation EDITH?

Operation EDITH seeks to educate the parents of young children about the importance of talking about what children should do if there is a fire. The cornerstone of the project is an Exit Drill In The Home, thus the name EDITH. Parents will be urged to practice an Exit Drill at 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 8th, when participating the local fire station will sound their sirens.  If families are located in areas where no siren is heard, they are still urged to practice their Exit Drill.

Parents are also urged to install and regularly check smoke detectors on every level of the home.

 You are encouragd to teach children three important fire safety tips: 

1. What a Smoke Detector Sounds Like

2. What to do when the detector sounds - Get Low and Go!

3. Go to a Family Meeting Spot Outside the Home

Turn your porch light on to indicate that you have practiced these steps with your children at Thursday night at 7:00 p.m.

Note: Garrison will also hold Operation EDITH the same evening.