More than 1,000 students had the opportunity to learn about fire safety during an annual expo in Metchosin Tuesday.

B次元官网网址淲e have had an estimated attendance of over 20,000 children over the years,B次元官网网址� Langford fire chief Chris Aubrey said of the 25th Lance Caven Fire and Life Safety Expo on April 16. It was recently renamed in honour of Caven, who died of work-related cancer in 2023.

B次元官网网址淗e used to say, B次元官网网址楽afety never takes a holiday,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said Aubrey.

Caven was instrumental in shepherding the expo. Aubrey said he would continue to help out even when he was battling cancer.

B次元官网网址淭he assistant chiefB次元官网网址檚 legacy of courage and dedication is a beacon guiding us as we continue our mission of protecting our communities,B次元官网网址� said Bob Beckett, former Langford fire chief.

The children attending the expo Tuesday learned various skills, such as stop, drop, and roll, fire-extinguisher training, anti-bullying, emergency preparedness, exit drills in the home, bike safety and more.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e tailored the expo so the kids are getting the message to stay safe,B次元官网网址� Aubrey said.

One of the critical lessons that students learned was the proper use of fire extinguishers, said Lt. Dallas Lozoway of the Colwood Fire Department.

B次元官网网址淎s simple as they look, there are a few little steps you have to go through in order to use it properly,B次元官网网址� Lozoway said.

Lozoway said a common misconception is that small extinguishers help put out larger fires.

B次元官网网址淎 fire extinguisher of that size is probably only good to look after a pot that might be on fire.B次元官网网址�

Children from the Sooke School District could interact with and put out a small controlled fire.

B次元官网网址淧 for pull the pin, A for approach, S for squeeze the trigger and S for sweep back and forth,B次元官网网址� Lozoway said.

The children learned about three types of fires: solid materials, liquids or gas, and electrical failure.

The expo has adapted and changed over the years, with different demonstrations to help improve the safety of the kids attending, Aubrey said.

B次元官网网址淲e used to do fireworks safety back in the Wild West days when kids were blowing their fingers off,B次元官网网址� he said.

The expoB次元官网网址檚 purpose now is to teach kids how to be safe within the community, and it has added things like anti-bullying demonstrations.

B次元官网网址淏ecause as far as safety goes, thatB次元官网网址檚 a common occurrence for youth,B次元官网网址� said Const. John Varley of the West Shore RCMP Community Policing Unit.

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