Fire Safety Lessons from Hannah

It was Fire Safety Week at Hannah's nursery school last week. From songs about how you need to "stop, drop and roll," to art projects centered on fire safety, they covered it all, apparently. They ended the week with a visit from a local fire fighter, who let them climb aboard the truck, try on some gear, etc. John the Fireman even proclaimed all the kids Smoke Detector Inspectors, complete with a shiny gold sticker badge. The sticker was the highlight of Hannah's day! But it wasn't until today that I realized just how serious Hannah took her new job title.

I was getting ready to start lunch, but wasn't at the stove for more than 30 seconds before Hannah jumps up and runs over to me and begins the following conversation at a very loud decibel level.

H: MA MA, WATCH OUT! WATCH OUT!

Me: (gasp!) WHAT? What's wrong, Hannah?!

H: WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT - FIRE, FIRE!

Me: Oh Dear God!

(lots of arm flailing done by me)

Me: Wait ... what? Hannah, what are you talking about?

H: FIRE, FIRE!

Me: Hannah, there is no fire - please stop yelling!

H: But I'm a smoke defector ... FIRE! FIRE!

Me: (suppressed giggle) Do you mean a Smoke Detector Inspector?

H: That's what I said, Mom.

(brief pause as she seemingly scans the premises - looking for something. Anything. Then, suddenly ...)

H: WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT!!

Me: Hannah, you have got to stop yelling. There isn't even any smoke. Well, not yet anyway.

H: But you're cooking, Ma Ma!

(Now ... being that she's only 3 and may not completely understand what she's implying with that comment, I let it slide. Or maybe she did know what she was saying! Either way, I chose the high road ...)

Me: Hannah, there is no fire. The stove is hot, you're right. But there is no fire. It's OK ...

I was cut off. Hannah pulled me away from the stove with all her might and blurted out:

JUST STOP DROP AND ROLL, MA MA!!!

I'm trying not to take it personally! :)