A graphic designer makes posters.

A good poster uses pictures and words to tell the message.

A good fire safety poster teaches people how to prevent fires and how to stay safe in case of a fire.

Every fall the Mason Fire Dept. has a Fire Safety Poster contest for grades 1-5. Students in 4th grade learn about fire safety and start on their posters in art class then finish them at home. If they turn their posters in to their art teacher by the deadline, she will give them to the Fire Dept. for judging. The deadline is displayed in Ms. Moschell's art room window, posted on her Edline page, and reminders are given during Annoucements. Students in other grades should check with their art teachers about the deadline. Other art teachers will also collect posters for this contest, but only the 4th grade art curriculum includes this as a lesson and art project during art class.

Ms. Moschell worked with the Mason Fire Dept. to create a powerpoint slide show about fire safety for which she received an Educator Award in 2006. We do not discuss particular fires, only fire prevention and safety. Because this may cause some anxiety in some children, parents may want to continue the discussion at home. Parents are encouraged to practice fire drills at home, draw up a safety plan for two ways out of the home, and agree on a meeting place. Many students try to ask Ms. Moschell how they should get out of their room or out of their house, and the only safe answer is "ask your parents" because each situation is unique. So if your child suddenly wants to discuss fire safety or have a home fire drill in mid September, this will be the reason.

Also, please be sure your child knows his/her street address; when filling out the form for the contest, it is surprising how many 4th graders do not know their own addresses, and this is a safety issue all on its own.

The Mason firefighters choose about a dozen finalists who get to invite their families and come to a pizza party with the firefighters at the fire station. At the pizza party, the Fire Chief announces one student whose poster will be sent to Columbus for the state judging in the spring. In 2003 one of our Mason 4th grade students had his poster featured in a state fire safety calendar.

Rules:

You don't have to enter this contest if you don't want to.

The poster must be 8 1/2" x 11", drawn on white paper. It can be either horizontal or vertical. It may not be larger or smaller than this size.

It must be drawn in color (neatness counts and so does spelling!)

No computer clip art or computer generated artwork. No help from parents in drawing it.

The poster must have the student's name, address, and phone number on the back. Any poster without a name will not be entered in the contest at all.

You may draw as many posters as you want. You may make your poster at home or at school.

You must turn in the poster by the deadline. Ms. Moschell will have a sign in her window showing the deadline, also on her Edline, and there will be announcements ahead of time.

You will not get your poster back.

The poster should have a positive message. Instead of showing something wrong (such as a child playing with matches), show someone doing what is right (giving matches to an adult).

A good poster has a big picture, the words are large and easy to read, good spelling, neatly drawn and colored in, and has a positive message (in general, don't use the word "don't").

Good slogans to use on your poster:

Give matches to an adult

Know two ways out of your room and out of your house

Have a meeting place

Practice fire drills at home

Put your camp fire out

Get out and stay out

Crawl low under smoke

Go to a neighbor's house to call 911 if there's a fire

Smell smoke? Leave the house, then call 911

Change your smoke detector batteries

Test your smoke detectors monthly

Have a smoke detector on every floor

Blow out candles before you leave the room

Stop, drop, and roll to put out fire on your clothes

Make a plan for fire safety at home

Tell an adult when someone is playing with fire

Keep small children away from candles

Keep space heaters away from blankets & curtains

Fire safety is important

Team up for fire safety

You can prevent forest fires

If the door is hot, find another way out

Fire fighters are our heroes

Fire drill rules: walk quickly, stay in line, stay calm

Make a fire escape plan with your family

Keep your chimney and fireplace clean

Know where the exits are (in public buildings)

This student's poster won the Mason contest in fall 2003, the state contest in spring 2004 and was in the 2005 Fire Safety Calendar. It is neatly drawn, has large lettering, a big picture, the words are spelled correctly, and it tells us what we SHOULD do in case of a fire.