I have seen several news reports of fatal house fires lately. Often the reports include that there were not working smoke alarms in the house. It is so important to make sure you have smoke alarms installed in your home and that they are working at all times!

If you have children, it is also important to talk to them about what to do if there is a fire in your house. Our local fire departments do a great job of educating kids about fire safety. During the summer reading program, members of the Ceredo Fire Department came to the library. They talked to the kids about what to do if there is a fire and having an escape plan and a meeting place. They also brought their equipment, and one of the fire fighters put it on for the kids to see. Then they encouraged the children to come up and shake hands with him. The idea is to let them see what a firefighter looks like with the hat, mask, air tank, etc., so that they will not be afraid of firefighters if they are ever in a fire. The firefighters stress to the kids not to hide. They said that kids will often hide under a bed or in a bathtub because they are afraid.

The CFD also brought Patches and Pumper. Patches is a robotic/remote control Dalmatian that drives Pumper, a remote control fire truck (which actually squirts water at the kids). Patches talks via a firefighter using a headset and standing just out of the view of the children. They adore Patches and Pumper!

Jacob shaking hands with a firefighter

Skylar shaking hands with a firefighter

Patches and Pumper

Jacob, JonDavid, Skylar, and other friends at the library get a closer look at Patches and Pumper

Our sweet Skylar celebrated her 4th birthday earlier this week! Here is a picture of Skylar and me with her Dora the Explorer birthday cake:

“PARIS —  French officials say a Muslim woman wearing a head-to-toe swimsuit has been denied access to a public swimming pool in a town southeast of Paris.”

If you have not already heard about this, you can read the article at Fox News.

I do not endorse the religion of Islam. However, I do believe that people should dress modestly.

It clearly takes more courage to dress modestly than it does to reveal your body these days. So many people have truly lost their shame and the ability to blush.