December 16, 2009 – The Sparky the Fire Dog® Web site, belonging to the official mascot of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), has been redesigned to include new features that keep kids entertained, engaged, and most importantly, informed about fire safety.
Since 1951, Sparky has been teaching children about fire safety and today his Web site, www.sparky.org, is the way many children are choosing to connect with the fire-safety icon. On the site, children are encouraged to learn by interacting with Sparky and exploring his online world.
According to NFPA reports, each year nearly 300 children ages 3-9 die as a result of fire in the U.S.
“Although the internet wasn’t around when Sparky was a pup, children today haven’t known a world without it,” said Amy LeBeau, NFPA’s communications manager of public education. “It not only provides a valuable way to reach children on an individual basis about fire-safety in a format they enjoy, it actually allows them to teach themselves safe behaviors by interacting with Sparky and helping him.”
View a short video demonstration to see what www.sparky.org has to offer.
Sections of the site include interactive games for readers and non-readers; “Cool to do” activities updated monthly; printable coloring sheets, including several in Spanish; escape planning grids; fire truck games and activities; short animated safety videos; Sparky ecards; and much more.
Adults can also learn a thing or two with a new special section developed especially for parents, educators, and members of the fire service looking for valuable information and resources to share with young audiences.
“NFPA holds Sparky’s Web site to the highest standards and provides it as a completely non-commercial online environment where children can go learn about fire safety,” LeBeau added. “We have created an environment where parents and educators don’t need to worry about children accessing inappropriate content.”
About Sparky®
Sparky the Fire Dog, recognized the world over for his efforts to educate children and adults about fire prevention and life safety, has been the official spokesdog for the NFPA since 1951. Sparky’s award-winning Web site gives kids a safe environment to learn about keeping safe from fire and other hazards while at the same time, having fun. Sparky® and Sparky the Fire Dog® are registered trademarks of NFPA.
NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit NFPA’s Web site at www.nfpa.org
