Operation EDITH
What is Operation EDITH?
Since 1996, IIANC has promoted the Operation EDITH fire-safety program in North Carolina to encourage parents of young children to talk to their kids about fire safety and educate them on the life-saving importance of regularly practicing an Exit Drill In The Home. Each year, IIANC prints and ships free Operation EDITH materials for distribution to schools, preschools and fire departments around the state. We need help from IIANC member agents to spread this important message in your communities during Fire Prevention Week in October. Materials can also be ordered to distribute at community events throughout the year. And as a bonus, you can co-brand the materials with your agency logo/information for added exposure to parents and community members! (Please note - you are responsible for adding your agency's information to the materials; there is space on the back of the coloring books where you can easily affix a sticker with your agency's information.)
Available materials include educational coloring books (available in both English and Spanish) and stickers. Plus, we have a fantastic, interactive, free mobile app so children can take their fire safety learning on-the-go!
Put your IIANC membership to use and participate in this valuable program to help your community!
Contact Rena Todd at rtodd@iianc.com for more information.
Sign ups for the 2023 Operation EDITH program are now closed. Thank you for your interest!
How Do I Volunteer?
Each summer IIANC will send out information to member agencies seeking volunteer assistance in distributing the Operation EDITH materials to area schools and fire departments. If your agency is interested in participating, you will need to:
- Complete a volunteer form with the estimated amount of materials (informational coloring books and/or stickers) you will need. Materials are available in both English and Spanish and will be shipped at the end of August.
- Distribute these materials to your local elementary schools, fire and rescue departments, community events, etc. in time for Fire Prevention Week in October.
- A volunteer kit will be sent to you with presentations, ads for newspapers, press releases and materials for you to give to children to take home. These will help you publicize your agency's involvement with EDITH.
- There is no cost to your agency other than personalizing the items with your agency stamp, label, etc. if you wish. IIANC pays for the materials and ships the materials to you for free.
Operation EDITH Info for Parents
Tragically, children age five and under are twice as likely to die in fires as are older children and adults. Many die because they instinctively try to hide from smoke and flames in closets and under beds. As parents, you need to reinforce some key messages about fire safety with your children. Children learn best by example, so spend some time at least twice a year practicing an exit drill with your family.Fires can be deadly, but they don't have to be. By practicing a home exit drill with your family, you can greatly improve the chances that every member of your family will escape safely should there ever be a fire in your home. Start by sounding your smoke detector so your children will learn the sound and what they should do when they hear the alert. For preschool children, this drill will be fun and exciting. But more importantly, this drill will help children to remember these life-saving fire safety and exit procedures if and when they really need them.
Go to www.OperationEDITH.com to learn more.
Parent Fire Safety Checklist
- Install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Replace batteries at least twice a year. If bedroom doors are kept closed at night, a detector should also be installed in each bedroom.
- Prepare a home exit plan. There should be two exits from each room which means one exit could be a window. You may need to purchase chain ladders which would enable your family to exit from a second story window without injury. Such supplies are carried in local hardware and home improvement stores.
- At least twice a year, practice a home exit drill with your family. Make sure your children know:
- To get out of the house when they hear the smoke detector
- Two ways to exit each room
- To go to your "family meeting place"
- Never to go back into a burning building