Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator unveiled the newest addition to Sheriff's Safety Town today - a safety house for children to explore and learn about home hazards, severe weather, fire safety, and more.

The 1,200 square-foot facility features a realistic living area, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, and a state-of-the art audio-visual system to simulate the sights and sounds of dangerous conditions in the home.

The Weather and Fire Safety House is Phase II of an interactive learning center designed and developed by Prator to reduce the number of childhood accidents in Caddo Parish and surrounding areas. "I'm confident that because of the efforts of our community and the work of the agencies involved that we have saved lives and prevented injuries," he said. "Without the financial and in-kind contributions from citizens and local businesses, and the donation of time and service by the public safety agencies who share our vision and help staff this facility, none of this would be possible."

In the Weather and Fire Safety House, students will feel the rumbling of thunder, hear the crack of lightning, and ultimately see a simulated tornado cross in front of the kitchen windows. Meanwhile, they'll receive weather alerts on the living room television while Safety Town instructors train them on how and where to take cover inside the house.

Instruction will also include how to safely escape a burning home. In the bedroom, students will experience a simulated house fire complete with smoke, a smoke detector, and glowing and crackling embers.
The house is the only one of its kind in Louisiana and was built by Precision Builders at a cost of $175,000. Ben Bledsoe and Bledsoe Architects were the project architects and donated their services. Construction was paid for with funds from the non-profit Friends of Safety Town and donations from Bill and Beth Alexander, Fire Tech Systems Inc., and Encana Oil and Gas (USA).

In-kind donations included exterior graphics from Ridgway's, video presentation from KSLA News 12, protective wall surface from Ark-La-Tex WallSource, and home accessories from Bed, Bath & Beyond, Lowe's on Alkay Drive, Hobby Lobby, and Target.

 At today's grand opening, Prator also unveiled two other additions to Safety Town - a natural gas well exhibit and water safety exhibit.

The gas well exhibit was constructed by Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. to provide children with valuable knowledge regarding the economic importance of gas wellswhile emphasizing possible dangers children could be exposed to if they play around such sites. The site includes a one-third scale replica of gas well equipment commonly seen in the area.

"“Safety is a core value at Encana,” said Ron Stark, Operations Group Lead at Encana Oil & Gas (USA).  “When we saw the impact that Safety Town can have on helping children understand basic safety principles regarding their environment, we wanted to partner with them on developing a natural gas well site safety display.   Several of our contractors worked with us on this project:   Allied Technology, Culberson Construction, Inc., J-W Measurement Company and Wilson Supply.  These contractors provided invaluable assistance, taking the lead on this project and providing more than $30,000 in time and materials.  They deserve equal credit and we thank them for joining with us on this important contribution to Safety Town.”

The water safety exhibit replicates a lake that children may likely visit in Northwest Louisiana. The exhibit will serve as a stopping point along the Safety Town walking tour for instructors to discuss possible dangers associated with unfamiliar bodies of water and safety measures to take around water. Children will also learn the importance of life vests and how to properly wear them.

The water safety exhibit was built with labor and material donations from Ace Deck Builders, Morehead Pools, Lowe's on Alkay Drive, and Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Safety Town opened its doors in December 2008. In an agreement with Caddo Parish Schools, all second graders participate in a two-week safety curriculum and attend Safety Town. Students from Bossier, Webster, DeSoto, Red River, and Natchitoches parishes also attend.

Since the initial opening, over 10,000 second graders have participated in Sheriff's Safety Town, which is staffed by Caddo deputies, Shreveport firefighters, and Louisiana State Troopers. More than 5,000 additional children and adults have participated in numerous other safety programs at the site.