Portland firefighters were out in force on August 7th at the annual National Night Out (NNO) Against Crime celebrations and block parties all over Portland. In an effort to build community and prevent crime, the neighborhood block parties featured food, music, crime-prevention information, police and fire demonstrations, fingerprinting, and more.  This year, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) wanted to educate the community about window fall safety for young children. 

Firefighters talked about fall safety with families attending NNO events, answered questions, and handed out “Stop at 4” window clings and an informational flyer.  Nearly a dozen children have fallen out of windows this summer - most under age five and from a second story window.  In addition to window fall safety education, firefighters gave tours of the fire engines, talked with children about fire safety, and handed out junior firefighter helmets and stickers.

PF&R’s fire stations attended 62 NNO events on August 7^th and made over 5,744 contacts to neighborhood and community members throughout the City of Portland.  Station 28 (RoseCity) attended a total of 7 events and had the opportunity to educate 610 citizens in the neighborhood that they serve.  Station 26 (University of Portland) attended 6 events and made 750 neighborhood contacts.  This is a great example of the prevention effort that PF&R exercises on a daily basis.  PF&R knows that the best way to fight fire and prevent window fall injuries is to educate the public, so that is exactly what they did for NNO.      

By celebrating National Night Out Against Crime,Portland citizens joined more than 36 million people from all over the country. National Night Out Against Crime is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anticrime programs,  strengthen neighborhood spirit and community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

If you would like any more information on window fall safety and the “Stop at 4” campaign please go to Stopat4.com. Hands on practice and one-on-one education are available at The Safety Store at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.  The Safety Store is located at: Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Atrium 501 North Graham Street, Portland,OR 97227, or call (503) 413-4600.