Rescue 911 meets Backdraft in this fire-safety video that presents its information "a little differently, with a little more impact." To wit, the producers do not concentrate on safety tips per se, but provide a demonstration of an actual house fire, speak with a burn specialist, and interview the family of a severely burned child. We come to realize that in addition to the bodily damage a fire can cause, the smoke and heat from a single-room fire can completely ruin other rooms in the house, and that the aftermath of even a small fire is a nightmare of inspections, insurance hassles, repairs, and displacement. Suggestions for protecting a home against such grief are briefly given, but the focus here is definitely on the live demonstrations of what could happen if such precautions are ignored. Though the acting is fairly bad--the principals possess a somewhat vacuous-yet-overwrought style--the presentations might inspire a family to get serious about fire safety issues. Recommended, but only if you also provide materials that furnish concrete, detailed tips for the fire-proofing itself, such as On Fire: A Family Guide to Fire Safety (KCET Video). Three other safety titles in the series are also available: Home Emergencies, Safe Babysitting and Making Your Home Safe for Children (VL-9/98). Aud: J, H, P. (K. Glaser)
Fire Smart: The Ultimate Lesson
(1998) 53 min. $24.95. SafetyTech (dist. by Instructional Video). PPR. Color cover. Vol. 14, Issue 2
Fire Smart: The Ultimate Lesson
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