CHESHIRE, Mass. — Seventh-graders Zoe Kratz and Alivia Ostrowski won first and second place, respectively, in Berkshire County for the annual statewide Fire Safety Poster Contest

 

"Preventing fires and teaching fire safety benefits all," visual arts teacher Terri Cooper said. "The contest helps teach students this valuable lesson. By participating in our annual fire safety poster contest, students are able to express and educate their peers on these issues. Fire safety education is important at any age level, but especially for middle school children."

 

The annual Arson Watch Reward Program poster contest is sponsored by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association on behalf of all property and casualty insurance companies writing in Massachusetts. 

 

The Arson Watch Reward Program sponsors and collaborates with numerous fire safety programs, groups and events, including the annual Fire Safety Poster Contest. The contest's annual theme is "Fire Prevention — Everyone/Everyday."

 

"I personally feel that it is extremely important to teach students about fire safety," Cooper said.  "I make sure that they know the leading causes of house fires, the best ways to escape from a fire, how to make an escape plan and ways to avoid fires in the home, and how to keep campfires safe. I ask them to go home and talk to their families and to make sure that they test their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors."

 

In Massachusetts, the contest is held for all students in Grades 6-8 with separate divisions for each county. First and second-place county winners receive a plaque and cash prizes in the amount of $200, and $100, respectively. 

 

All first-place county winners are entered into the statewide competition first, second and third-place statewide winners are chosen. The statewide winners receive a plaque and cash prizes in the amounts of $1,000, $500, and $250.

 

Judging is based on adherence to theme, artwork, and originality.

 

"They receive a grade on their poster from me before it is submitted into the contest," Cooper said. "They also take a fire safety quiz, and if individual students have difficulty with the content they are required to retake it until they know all of the material."

 

This year 327 students submitted posters for the contest, which included 40 entrants from Berkshire County.