NORTH AUGUSTA – If you walked into Merriwether Elementary School on Oct.6,2009, you would have been greeted by the Merriwether Fire Department.

Students took part in Fire Prevention Day by learning what to do in case of a fire. The 1st and 2nd graders were taught to think before they react. They were taught what to do in case of a fire: what number to call, how to escape, not to be afraid of the firefighters and most important to always think first.

The Pre-K and K5 classes took part in a "real-life" fire situation. The classes were lead into a small smokehouse where they listened to the firefighters tell them what to do if a smoke detector goes off, how to get out of the house and stay low to the floor while getting out.

As the students sat upstairs, the room filled with smoke, the smoke detector went off and slowly the kids went to their knees. They then found the door and went down the stairs to outside safety.

Once outside, the kids enjoyed seeing the firefighters in their uniforms and seeing the fire truck with all the lights on. Merriwether Elementary students and staff would like to say thank you to the Merriwether Fire Department for coming out and teaching us what to do in case of a fire.

Contributed by John Bannister - Merriwether Elementary School, 4th grade, Ms. Bunch