Children's Burn Awareness and Fire Safety 3D Animated Video is Launched

REGINA, November 18, 2004 - The Saskatchewan Professional Firefighters Association introduces a new children's safety video. Titled, Happy Birthday Not Happy Burn Day, the 20-minute 3D animated video uses a birthday party scenario to convey messages of fire and burn safety.

Hot Stuff, a mangy house cat, uses some of her nine lives to save the day as a family prepares for a birthday celebration for 9 year-old, Jason.

Key safety messages in the video include:
-Burn safety around the stove
-Smoke Alarms save lives
-Don�t play with matches
-Hot water can be harmful
-Be careful around Open Fires
-Have a Family Fire Safety Plan

"The creation of Hot Stuff, the fire safety cat, in an animated format is a friendly way to convey serious fire safety and burn prevention messages to a young audience," said Gerry Huget, President, SPFFA Burn Fund.  "Fear is one of the primary obstacles to handling fire situations safely. Educators know that children easily absorb information that is presented in an entertaining, fun format. This animated video contains basic fire and burn safety messages that will help children to identify burn and fire danger situations and act appropriately to protect themselves and others."

Through its provincial network, the SPFFA Burn Fund will be providing a copy of Happy Birthday Not Happy Burn Day to every elementary school in Saskatchewan. A related website has also been launched at www.firecat.ca

The SPFFA Burn Fund is celebrating their 30th year of fundraising in the province. Since 1974, the Burn Fund has raised more than $6 million dollars. The Saskatchewan Professional Firefighters Burn Fund is a registered non-profit organization, dedicated to burn prevention, public education, specialized medical burn training, and survivor support. The fund also supports the upgrade and purchase of specialized equipment for Saskatchewan�s two provincial burn units located at the Regina General Hospital and the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon as well as the Hyperbaric Chamber in Moose Jaw.

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For further information, contact:
Gerry Huget,
President, SPFFA Burn Fund
Phone: (306) 585-3580 Fax: (306) 585-3451
E-mail: ghuget@spffaburnfund.com