Reflection from the #TeamKidde Safety Summit

As some of you may know, I have been invited back to join the Kidde Fire Safety Team again for another year. I definitely enjoyed the life-changing events and challenges I experienced the previous year with Kidde. So I was naturally eager to accept and join the team to embark on another year of fire safety education.

This past March, I was joined with my fellow Kidde brand ambassadors in Washington DC at the United Technologies Corporation’s Government Affairs Office We had the opportunity to visit with a few key people within Kidde team and a couple of their non-profit partners, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Safe Kids.

First let me remind you of who and what Kidde is:

“ Kidde is the world’s leading manufacturer of fire safety products. Each day, we work to expand upon our legacy of innovation, providing advanced solutions to protect people and property from fire and related hazards. “

It has been such a pleasure working with Kidde over the last couple years on special projects to educate and help others in need. Similar to what we did at last year’s Kidde brand ambassador kickoff, this year we visited the burn center at a local DC hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital, to learn more about burns and burn rehabilitation. Going to this type of hospital is sobering, and makes you realize that there can be consequences when you are unsafe with fire.

Prior to our visit to the hospital, we visited the Prince George’s County Fire Department to get an idea of firefighters’ daily activities and get some hands-on experience. We tried on a fully-equipped firefighter’s outfit, which added nearly an extra 100 pounds to your body. The gentlemen asked us to join them as they canvassed local neighborhoods to check on the smoke alarms installed in area homes. We knocked on doors of residences and installed new some alarms in a few homes that had outdated alarms.

After that adventure, our group was invited to a local rescue training facility, an abandoned building where the firefighters would practice drills inside of a smoke-filled space. The drill was rather interesting as we witnessed a group of firefighters break in to a two-story building full of smoke. Watch my video to see for yourself.

This just happened! We just participated in a fire rescue simulation and could not see a thing! @PGFDPIO #TeamKidde pic.twitter.com/4fkWNfkfSx

— DoDomesticDad (@dodomesticdad) March 10, 2015

Overall, this year’s #TeamKidde event was spectacular. We all walked away knowing more and understand what it takes to protect us and our family. Please be on the lookout throughout this year as I share few more fire safety posts that could help your family stay safe.

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