"SIR, do you know how to use a fire extinguisher (灭火器)? Do you know how many types of fire extinguishers are being used in our country?" Jiao Ye politely asked a man who was passing by.

Once the man showed some interest, the 16-year-old girl and three friends started a demonstration with the dry chemical extinguishers lined in front of them.

Students teaching a little girl how to use a fire extinguisher.

September 20 was China’s second "Moral Education Day". Around 3,000 parents and students went to Beijing’s Ditan Park where the school students displayed their extracurricula (课外的) skills.

Jiao and her classmates, from Beijing Hongzhi High School, spent all day instructing visitors on how to use fire extinguishers. The teenagers arrived half an hour before the park opened at nine, to prepare their handouts (印刷品), posters and speeches on the danger of fires and how to prevent them.

"What we are doing seems more important than other students activities because there have been too many disastrous fires recently. Everyone should know how to use a fire extinguisher," said Ma Dongye, a member of the group. In less than two hours, their group saw around 70 people visit their workshop.

A total of 43 people died in 31 fires in the first eight months of this year in Beijing, according to Xinhua News Agency.

In last June alone there were two big accidents. One was a coal mine fire outside the city, on June 6 that claimed 10 lives. The other was a big fire at an office building on June 9 that killed nine workers.

"I didn’t know or care how to operate an extinguisher, but these enthusiastic (热情的) students made me understand. It is actually quite easy to do and very important," said Li Hexia. Li then showed her 8-year-old daughter how to use the equipment too.

"We try our best to attract visitors’ attention, like street vendors (商贩). But we’re different from vendors and our work is also easier than theirs, because everyone values (珍惜) life and is eager to hear what we are saying," said Senior 1 Dong Shuai.


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