This week is National Fire Safety Week. Across Lawrence County, elementary school students are getting an up-close-and-personal look at the vehicles that could save their lives in a fire and a talk with the firefighters who are experts at preventing fires in the first place.

Students at St. Lawrence Elementary got a visit from the Ironton Fire Department Monday. Ironton will stay busy this week with visits to the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization Head Start Tuesday, Central Christian Daycare Wednesday, Ironton Elementary Thursday and Sharon Baptist Church Daycare Friday.

“We go into each classroom and talk to them about the importance of smoke detectors and having a (family) meeting place outside,” Ironton Fire Capt. Craig Thomas explained. “We talk to the kids in preschool through third grade. Then we bring them outside to see the trucks.”

Dawson-Bryant Elementary students were treated to a fire safety presentation last week from the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Coal Grove Fire Department.

“It’s very important for kids know what to do in case of a fire,” Dawson-Bryant Principal Angie LaFon said. “In emergency situations we tend to panic and this is an opportunity to open that conversation (about fire safety) at home.”

Some Dawson-Bryant students will get a double dose of fire safety: The village-wide Coal Grove Safety Day is Saturday.

South Point Elementary will get a visit from South Point firefighters and Chesapeake children will have an assembly Tuesday by the Chesapeake-Union Fire Department. Symmes Valley Schools have planned a presentation for Friday and Rome Township Volunteer Fire Department will visit Fairland East Elementary Friday as well.