The Merritt Fire Rescue Department (MFRD)has been busy fighting fires before they happen.

Their message is simple — put smoke alarms in bedrooms, have an exit strategy in case of a fire and designate a meeting place outside a burning building for occupants to gather.

Firefighters and the Grade 10 drama class at Merritt Secondary School (MSS) teamed up last week for fire prevention week to ingrain these life-saving fire safety tips in the minds of third grade students from all over city.

This year’s theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep,” which stresses that smoke alarms be installed in every room of a household including bedrooms.

The skit involved the actors showing the importance of having smoke alarms within earshot, having an escape plan in case of a fire and other helpful tips such as staying low to the ground to avoid rising smoke.

Outside the school MFRD fire prevention officer Sky McKeown showed the students that practice makes perfect by having them find their way through their fire and life safety house — a trailer designed as a mini house for fire safety practice.

The kids practiced exiting the building through an open window and meeting at a designated spot in the event of a fire.