50+ Lifestyles

Stop, Drop and Roll…

reprinted from October 2016 edition

By Eloise Graham

The other day a friend and I were reminiscing about our days as Brownie Scout and Cub Scout leaders. We talked about activities and themes, how October was always Fire Safety Month. We played a game of Stop, Drop and Roll. She told me I should write an article about that. I said I had. She said she would like to read it. So I decided to do a reprint of it in case you missed it the first time around.

Do you remember playing the Stop, Drop and Roll game at your school in your youth? I remember playing it at recess and at my Brownie Scout meetings when I was a little girl. Then, as a young mother and scout leader, I taught it to my Brownie Troops, Cub Scout Dens and at Scout Training sessions. We would do it as relay games and timed races. The idea was to put out a fire on you if your clothes had burst into flames. First, stop running. The running only fanned the flames. Second, drop to the ground. Third, roll around on the ground to smother the flames. There are even a few little ditties to go along with the game. Here is the one of them:

“Stop! Don’t run around.
Drop! Get on the ground.
Roll! Roll yourself about.
You can put the fire out! “

This activity always took place in October, National Fire Prevention Month. Every October, the Boy Scouts of America place a big emphasis on fire safety ranging from campfire rules and safety yips, how to extinguish a campfire to home safety rules. National Fire Prevention Month serves as an excellent time to examine your preparedness. Do you have a home fire escape plan? Have you changed smoke-alarm batteries within the last year? Do you know the main reasons for fires starting in the home?

Did you know there is a new smoke alarm out? Buying a new alarm can be almost as overwhelming as a stroll down the cereal aisle. There are many different types. Some are smoke and carbon monoxide detectors combined. Some are hardwired, some have a screw in base, while others have a double sided sticky tape base. There is even a new one with a lithium ion battery that will last for ten years. For more information on smoke detectors and fire safety, contact your local fire department non-emergency number or the American Red Cross in Moline at (309) 743 2166.

As for forest fires, Smokey the Bear has been teaching us campfire and wildlife safety for over 70 years!

Have a safe October.