SPRINGFIELD — Even though Effingham County Fire Rescue boasts highly trained personnel and state-of-the-art equipment, one of its most effective methods of increasing public safety has been around for nearly two decades.

The Fire Safety House, obtained in 2005, exposes Effingham County second-grade students to a realistic drill that helps firefighters teach them what to do in case they get caught in a blaze at home.

Called EDITH (Escape Drills in the Home), the program culminates with the mobile unit, which features a model kitchen and fireplace, filling with non-toxic smoke. The students, with a smoke alarm blaring, then practice what they learned by crawling through the haze in search of a safe exit.

The students are told to touch doors with the back of the hand to check for heat. It is OK to proceed through cool doors but hot ones mean another door or window should be taken.

The firefighters stress the use of smoke alarms and the students are reminded that alarms should be tested at least once a month, and that their batteries should be changed as needed.

The students are told that their families need to have a designated meeting place out of harm’s way after a fire. They are also told not to return to the home to retrieve a family member or pet because that is a firefighter’s job.

Before the crux of the lesson, the students are given kitchen safety tips. These include:

1. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

2. Always use pot holders when handling hot pots, pans, bowls or plates.

3. Even microwaves can heat items to boiling or scorching temperatures. (Be careful before taking large bites.)

4. Make sure to have a kitchen fire extinguisher. (Never use water on a kitchen fire.)

5. If there is a fire in the oven, keep the door closed and turn the knob to “off”.

The students, encouraged to conduct home fire drills, are also warned about the dangers of candles, the fireplace and heaters.

The program, presented at Marlow Elementary School on Friday, ends with the viewing of a fire truck.