Fire Safety

It's not unusual for evenings around a campfire to include chilling tales of ghosts and other things that go bump in the night. But experts warn that as the sun goes down, campers should be aware of the real dangers that go along with camping. As campers prepare to hit the great outdoors, they can help ensure a safe experience by planning ahead and educating themselves about potential dangers. "Be aware of some of the animals in the parks," said Robert Bailey, a park ranger at South Mountain State Park.

Hagerstown Fire Department on-duty personnel, volunteers from the Antietam Fire Company and six Lowe's employees went through several South End neighborhoods Wednesday night, checking and, in some cases, replacing smoke detectors in several homes. "We were on Guilford, Summit and Surrey avenues Wednesday night," said Michael Weller, fire department educator. Since May 1, more than 600 homes have been surveyed, and 325 extended-life smoke alarms, which last 10 years, were installed, Weller said.

MONT ALTO, Pa. - Penn State Mont Alto theater students will host a program for preschoolers on Wednesday from 11:10 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. at the Waynesboro YMCA. For years, students in the theater program at Penn State Mont Alto have performed educational puppet shows and creative dramas for the preschoolers. This year, the performances include shows that teach the children street safety, stranger safety and how to eat right. The creative dramas also consist of colors and shapes, dental care, manners, sign language, and fire safety.

GREENCASTLE, Pa. - On Jan. 19, area Cultural Care au pairs from the towns of Hagerstown and Greencastle met for a fire safety meeting hosted by Cultural Care Au Pair and Jack Kesselring of Emergency First Training. According to Local Childcare Coordinator Brooke Kovalcik, educating au pairs on fire safety is a top priority for parents. "Au pairs are often the primary caregivers for many local families during the day. Fire safety training is important because it reinforces their knowledge of what to do if there is an emergency, starting with getting themselves and the children out of the house should a fire break out. " The training is part of Cultural Care Au Pair's ongoing Continuing Education Program.

The Mason-Dixon Council conducted its annual fall camporee in early November at Greenbrier State Park. Approximately 275 Scouts and leaders from the Mason-Dixon Council attended the event. Scouts participated in fire safety, traffic safety and worked on first aid merit badges. A demonstration of fire equipment was conducted by the Mt. Aetna Fire Department. Representatives from the Maryland DNR, Anne Arundel County Fire Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Department assisted with safety stations.

The scouts of Boonsboro Boy Scout Troop 20 held their Court of Honor on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at their meetinghouse in Shafer Park. The quarterly event was led by Senior Patrol Leader Josh Bikle and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Matthew DeTora. Following the flag ceremony conducted by the Stag Patrol and the opening prayer given by Chaplain's aide Tim Winebrenner, the following rank advancements were presented: Scout - David Drawbaugh; Tenderfoot - Nicholas Dougherty, Jacob Stauffer and Zachary Stauffer; 2nd Class - Nicholas Dougherty, Tom Kersting, Peter Myers, Jacob Stauffer and Zachary Stauffer; Life - Justin Weese; Eagle - Jeffrey DeTora; Bronze Palm - Jacob Reinhart; and 2nd Bronze Palm - Billy Bunker.

DARGAN - Seven-year-old Calista Plante steps to the plate, winds up and - SPLASH! Volunteer firefighter Tracey Pearrell is in the dunk tank. Again. "Sign this girl up!" her father, Russ Plante, a state police trooper from Keedysville, tells the chief. One day, the Potomac Valley Fire Co. might do just that. The company, which has served southern Washington County for more than 40 years, has recruited many members of its all-volunteer force from children of emergency responders who grew up around the firehouse, said firefighter Gordie Ingram, whose grandfather, father and uncle have all worked as volunteers.

At Children's Village of Washington County, second-graders learn about 911, "Stranger Danger" and fire safety. The safety education complex, at 1546 Mount Aetna Road in Hagerstown, was established in 1991 as a not-for-profit safety education organization. While not a part of Washington County Public Schools, Children's Village receives bus transportation and curriculum support. Every second-grade student in the county spends two days of the school year at the center - one day on police safety issues, the on fire safety.

JS Dollar World JS Dollar World at 901 S. Potomac St. in Hagerstown will hold a grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The celebration will include prizes and hourly drawings along with refreshments, coupons and more. JS Dollar World, owned by Jean and Sidoney Atse, sells general merchandise, including cleaning and health and beauty products, cosmetics, school and party supplies, household items and food. The store is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Edward Jones Edward Jones financial advisers rank the firm the highest in overall satisfaction, according to a newly released study by J.D. Power and Associates.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Blue Ridge Community & Technical College's ongoing crunch for classroom space surfaced again last week when Berkeley County leaders were told that the school was using space in the county's West Stephen Street office building that is not covered by their lease. The college's use of the cafeteria on the second floor of the Dunn building was mentioned by County Administrator Deborah Hammond when county commissioners reviewed county facility cleaning expenses listed in the weekly purchase order log. Hammond noted the $28,957 monthly bill submitted by LeScrub Janitorial Services of Martinsburg, included "extra cleaning" for the cafeteria.