The Bossier City Fire Department has kicked off its annual school fire safety program. It started at Sun City Elementary this morning, and will head to other elementary schools throughout the month of October.

The BCFD's Fire Prevention Bureau is teaching school children about fire prevention and safety through a multimedia presentation that includes a puppet show, video presentation and appearances by Sparky the Fire Dog and Freddie the Fire Truck. City spokesman Mark Natale says both fire safety icons are quite popular with the kids.

Fire Prevention officers put on the program for more than 6,000 children from elementary schools and child care facilities in Bossier City. Natale says the daycares don't get visits to their facilities, but they do get to participate.

"We have daycares come into the Civic Center and the fire prevention officers put on the program for those young children, as well," Natale says. "They find that it's best to teach these children at a young age about the dangers of fire to keep them safe, and also we hope that it helps facilitates discussions with children and their parents about things that they can do to keep safe in their homes."

The fire department conducts this program each year in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week, which is being observed from October 6th through 12th. This year's theme is "Prevent Kitchen Fires!"

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