Chicago Children's Museum, Chicago Fire Department and The Allstate Foundation Unveil Revitalized Play It Safe Exhibit
December 02 2009 - 3:08PM
PR Newswire (US)
New Interactive Environment Aims to Save Lives Through Fire Safety
Education CHICAGO, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Each year in
the United States an estimated 2,800 children age 14 or younger are
injured and 850 are killed in residential fires according to the
U.S. Fire Administration. To help address this important issue,
Chicago Children's Museum (CCM), the Chicago Fire Department and
The Allstate Foundation today unveiled The Allstate Foundation
Presents Play It Safe--a new permanent exhibit that encourages
children and families to step into the shoes of a firefighter for a
day and explore fire safety through imaginative play. "As we enter
the winter months when fires in the home are more frequent, this is
the perfect time to unveil the revitalized Play It Safe exhibit,"
said Vicky Dinges, assistant vice president, Allstate Insurance
Company. "Allstate's support of Play It Safe brings to life our
ongoing commitment to foster safe communities. We're so proud of
this exhibit because it gives children and families realistic, fun,
hands-on, playful ways to better understand fire safety and help
prevent unnecessary injuries or deaths." Inspired by visits to real
Chicago firehouses and developed in collaboration with the Chicago
Fire Department, the new Play It Safe exhibit features an
authentic-looking firehouse where children and families can take
calls and dispatch trucks at a command center, dress up like a
firefighter, slide down a fire pole, sound the siren in a fire
truck and practice escaping a "smoke-filled" room in the "Get Low
and Go" bedroom. Through this range of exciting activities,
children will learn life-saving lessons about fire safety. The
grand reopening of the 2010 Play It Safe exhibit is Thursday,
December 3rd, at 9 a.m. "Studies show that children learn and
retain information better through exploration and imaginative
play--and the newly renovated Play It Safe exhibit addresses the
serious issue of fire safety in a playful, educational setting,"
said Jennifer Farrington, President and CEO, Chicago Children's
Museum. "At CCM, we're committed to providing valuable experiences
that tackle tough issues." During the development stages of the new
Play It Safe exhibit, Chicago Children's Museum utilized extensive
research and best practices in child development, informal
learning, and safety education to ensure that the exhibit provides
age-appropriate experiences for children to explore fire safety and
incorporates resources to help parents, caregivers and children
explore fire safety beyond the museum visit. The Chicago Fire
Department also provided a critical role by not only providing
actual firehouse artifacts, input on design and key messaging, but
also training Chicago Children's Museum staff and program
facilitators on how to best teach and communicate critical fire
safety techniques. "We hope that through our support of the
exhibit, we'll be able to provide kids and adults with important
fire safety messages and techniques that they can practice at
home," said Chicago Fire Commissioner John Brooks. "Over the last
decade our partnership has brought home the crucial safety messages
children need to learn, and will carry with them the rest of their
lives." According to recent data from the National Fire Protection
Association (2008), 83 percent of all civilian fire fatalities
occur within the home. With an estimated 2.5 million children,
parents, caregivers and children visiting the exhibit since its
inception seven years ago, Play It Safe will continue to have an
impact well beyond the walls of the museum. A Survive Alive Safe
Exit program offered throughout the year will give families a
unique opportunity to practice how to escape their home in an
emergency using multisensory effects to simulate a real fire. A
free take-home caregiver guide will also offer additional tips on
ways families can practice fire safety tips at home. The newly
renovated Play It Safe exhibit is a result of a ground-breaking
partnership between Allstate, the Chicago Fire Department and
Chicago Children's Museum, and will continue as a permanent exhibit
daily, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and on Kraft Free Family Nights --
Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (free admission for all
visitors). About Chicago Children's Museum The mission of Chicago
Children's Museum is to create a community where play and learning
connect. CCM is the only cultural institution in the city dedicated
to young children and the important adults in their lives. Playful
experiences, including over fifteen interactive exhibits and
programming spaces, tap into how kids learn, and engage them at an
early age so they develop a lifelong love of learning. Located at
Navy Pier, Chicago's number one attraction at 700 East Grand
Avenue, CCM is the final stop for CTA buses #29, #65, #66 and #124.
For more information, please visit
http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/hours.html. About The
Allstate Foundation Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is
an independent, charitable organization made possible by
subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Allstate and
The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote
"safe and vital communities;" "tolerance, inclusion, and
diversity;" and "economic empowerment." The Allstate Foundation
believes in the financial potential of every individual and in
helping America's families achieve their American dream. For
additional information, visit http://www.allstate.com/foundation.
DATASOURCE: Allstate Insurance Company CONTACT: David Steck of
Allstate Insurance Company, +1-847-402-5600; or Amie DeLuca,
+1-630-315-2962, for Allstate Insurance Company; or Natalie Kreiger
of Chicago Children's Museum, +1-312-464-7727 Web Site:
http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/
http://www.allstate.com/foundation
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