Girl, 8, wins fire prevention poster contest

An 8-year-old Columbus girl created the winning entry in Columbus Fire Department’s recent Fire Prevention Week 2016 Poster Contest.

Natasha Armstrong created the winning poster and won four tickets to Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, courtesy of White River Broadcasting Co.

The contest was an opportunity for area youth to create a fire prevention message through their artistic creativity. The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week contest was “Don’t Wait — Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.” Fire Prevention Week was Oct. 9 to 15.

The poster contest was open to area children age 12 and younger.

The Columbus Fire Department received 17 poster submissions. The posters were judged by a panel of Columbus firefighters and White River Broadcasting representatives.

“It is our hope that the poster contest provided an opportunity for fire prevention awareness for the entire family,” Fire Chief Mike Compton said. “Fire prevention dialogue between parents and children leads to lifelong safe practices.”

The Columbus Fire Department provides fire prevention planning and education through the city of Columbus website at columbus.in.gov/fire. The CFD Fire Prevention Bureau also visits schools, businesses and social clubs with the objective of educating the community on the importance of fire safety and fire prevention.