As part of National Safety Month Wal-Mart hosted Pearl River County’s fire safety trailer.

The trailer makes stops at all of the schools in the county and teaches children what to do if they are caught in a burning home. It is equipped with a smoke machine, hot door, and a ladder for them to climb down from the balcony, said Picayune Fire Chief Keith Brown.

To simulate severe weather situations strobe lights have been installed that simulate lightening.

Firefighters set the trailer and a fire truck up in front of the store Friday and got a number of visitors. Children had a chance to look at the fire truck and then take the tour of the trailer. Children were brought to the second floor of the trailer with a firefighter and non toxic smoke was pushed into the room. The firefighter then lead the children out to the balcony where another firefighter was waiting at the bottom of a ladder to help them down. After the tour children were offered pencils, fire fighter badge stickers and a toy firefighter hat.

Brown said the trailer is owned by the county and has even been to schools as far away as Stone County. Children are welcome to come to the fire department at any time and take a tour of the fire trucks and other equipment.

Kirk Hoelzel, Wal-Mart Asset Protection Coordinator, said with hurricane season coming up and June being safety month a number of safety oriented activities will take place at the store. At the front of the store is a table with a number of informational pamphlets. Also at the table are emergency kits for purchase.

A number of other safety oriented events that will take place such as a Wildlife and Fisheries boating, hunting and all terrain vehicle safety discussion on June 14, from 9 a.m. until. The Picayune Police Department will be conducting child fingerprinting at the store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 19. On June 17, the police department will teach parents about car seat safety beginning at 9:30 a.m.