Learn Fire Safety with Jamie

Learn Fire Safety with Jamie by Jillian Fitzgerald, illustrated by John Morgan (Kandy Ko Publishing)
PB RRP $19.95
ISBN 9780977568109
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Jillian Fitzgerald, a former Fire Safety Officer with the WA Fire and Emergency Services Authority, wrote Learn Fire Safety with Jamie in response to a lack of  literature on fire safety for children. She has succeeded in producing a clear and easy to understand book which covers the vital aspects of fire safety. 


Jamie and his friend Michael take a tour through Uncle Frank's fire station and learn what they must do to help prevent a fire and how to keep safe in the event of one. As a frequent visitor to the fire station, Jamie is well versed in fire safety. Points covered include: Stop, Drop, Cover and Roll; not running around; Go, Go, Go; designated meeting spot; smoke alarms and more. How to call for help and an explanation of firefighters' equipment are also canvassed.


Fitzgerald has cleverly used Michael as the child who gives the expected answers. For example, Uncle Frank asks, 'What would you do if your house caught fire and there was smoke everywhere?' to which Michael answers, ' I'd run outside very fast.' Uncle Frank tells him that he must crawl below the level of the smoke otherwise he might suffocate. 


Plenty of white space ensures that the reader is not overwhelmed with information. Illustrations depict the actions mentioned in the text and the key words are scrawled across the page to reinforce the message.


Learn Fire Safety with Jamie has some high level endorsements with messages from Dr Fiona Wood and John McMahon (retired Chief Officer for the Fire and Rescue Service) at the front of the book. Part proceeds from the sale of  Learn Fire Safety with Jamie go to the McComb Foundation  for burns research. 


For more information, or to purchase this book, go to the Kandy Ko website.