McHappy to deliver fire safety messages at the drive through

Picton McDonalds store owner Dan Doyle and assistant manager Jana Leybourne chuckle to see the interest from Lucy in the goody bags to be distributed in the drive through thanks to Prince Edward County Fire Prevention officers Mike Branscombe and Greg Gorsline. – Sue Capon photo

Barry Turpin’s pup Lucy was interested in a closer look at the treat Prince Edward County Fire Prevention officers Mike Branscombe and Greg Gorsline were offering at the McDonald’s drive through.

The two delivered about 250 biodegradable bags of fun and learning about fire safety to the Picton McDonald’s this week to be distributed with Happy Meals.

Branscombe noted he was concerned about how to continue delivering fire safety messages during the COVID-19 pandemic where there are no public gatherings and events. He came to the idea in his sleep to team up with Dan Doyle and Picton McDonald’s.

“Dan has always been supportive of the fire department and was right on board when I called him,” Branscombe said.

The goody bags contain educational colouring and activity books, crayons, pencil crayons, a drink cozy, boomerang and an rfid card holder.

It also contains a card teaching how to be a fire safety hero in your home with hints that include:
-Only charge cell phones, tablets or other electrical devices where there is good air circulation (not on beds, under blankets, etc)
-Keep things that can burn, like paper or clothes, away from heat sources such as heaters, lamps and light bulbs
-Prepare and practise a home escape plan with your family. Know two ways out of every room, if possible.
-Make sure doors and windows can open, and exits are not blocked, or cluttered.

A full burn ban continues in Prince Edward County, and the entire province, in effort to reduce incidences of having to put first responders in close contact.

Branscombe noted that in more urban areas there has been a 17 per cent increase in kitchen fires as people are staying home and cooking more.  So far, calls in the County have not seen that kind of increase.

However, Branscombe noted there has been an increase in calls related to people burning on their properties. He noted the department has had to issue significantly more $90 fines to people burning during the ban.