Wildfire Kids Safety: Fire! Patty Learns What to Do (1951)

In Fire! Patty Learns What to Do, filmmakers use the tragic Chatsworth California fire of 1947 to give fire safety instruction. At the time, San Fernando Valley lost 50 homes to the fire damage, which was finally extinguished on the Garman family farm. The film focuses on how the Garmans, including their children, helped to stop the fire. The Los Angeles fire chief illustrates techniques and rules for fire prevention training geared toward children. In one scene describing fire hazards, he does so by lighting a doll on fire! Don McNamara, narrator, advises children to expect fires after earthquakes and atomic bombings, hinting at the post world war 2 a-bomb hysteria. Fire! Patty Learns What to Do is a sweet bit of vintage Americana that's great for improving family safety and preventing burn injuries.