First graders at Langston Hughes School get right in the thick of things to learn a valuable lesson. It’s Fire Prevention Month, and Lawrence Doulgas County Fire Medical crews are making sure this group knows what to do in case of a fire with a Safety House that simulates a smoky fire in a home.

“We were talking about what we do at a fire,” said Eli Lomey.

“I couldn’t see anything when it first started. I liked it,” said John Loos.

While kids can agree on the fun, they can’t agree on the smell of the smoke.

Eli said it smelled kind of bad. Abby Stancliffe agreed. “It’s really smelly,” she said.

But others didn’t mind it. “It smelled like cotton candy and it didn’t hurt my eyes like I thought it would,” said Allison Pittman.

The kids learned how to plan an escape route at their own home and heard other valuable fire safety lessons.

“You got to have two ways to get out,” said Abby.

Allison said she learned not to go back inside the house.

The kids like getting smoke in their eyes, but escaping is pretty fun, too.

Allison liked breaking the rules she has at home. “I got to go out of the window. My mom and dad [don’t] let me do that,” she said.

For John, the best part was climbing down the ladder.

All first and fifth graders in Lawrence elementary schools with get to experience the Safety House.

October is Fire Prevention Month and gets its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which happened October 9, 1871.