Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog in the Courier Democrat

Thanks to Courier Democrat reporter Justin Hook for the amazing story that he wrote about Sparkles and her quest for helping teach fire safety.

Since May 2003, Sparkles has reached millions of children and their caregivers with the fire safety message on Sprout, Sprout on Demand after Fireman Sam and the Sprout website. Rescued from a home with 62 other dogs, Sparkles had an unfortunate life. Now, Sparkles is a very happy dog, helping Firefighter Dayna teach fire safety all across the United States.

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The upcoming book, Sparkles Goes to Boston, was mentioned in the article. A photo of Sparkles taken by Linda Hubley during Sparkles visit to Southborough last summer appeared in the article.

The article appeared in the July 5th, 2009 issue. Please check back soon for a link to the article.

Thank you to FireRescue1.com

Thanks to FireRescue1.com for adding our fire safety blogs to their blog and for sending out the notice to their over 60,000 members!

Sparkles had the opportunity to meet some of the staff from FireRescue1.com at FDIC in Indianapolis in April.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxSparkles with FireRescue1’s Gina Ciccarelli

xxxxxxxxxxxxxSparkles with FireRescue1’s Jennifer Hickerson

To visit their blog, click HERE. To see the newsletter that went out to their members, click HERE.

Thank you so much for helping us spread the fire safety message!

New Video Release of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Meeting Governor Mike Beebe

On June 20th, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog was honored to meet Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe.

Today Sparkles was excited to meet Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe. Governor Beebe is a big supporter of the fire service and helping keep Arkansans fire safe. We were thankful that he had time to take out of his busy schedule to meet Sparkles.

To see more pictures, please click HERE.

Fire Safety Efforts Mentioned on Floor of Congress

Recently Congressman John Boozman mentioned our fire safety efforts on the floor of Congress. We are thankful to Congressman Boozman for his support over the years in helping us keep people fire safe.



To see the C-Span article click HERE.
To learn more about the 2009 NFPA Fire Safety Educator Award, please click HERE.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog in this Months Issue of DogSport Magazine

The book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, in this months issue of DogSport Magazine! The review is in the DogSport Magazine's Bookshelf section on page 90.

Here's what the DogSport staff had to say about Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog:

"Sparkles is a Fire Safety Dog from Clarksville, Arkansas that travels with firefighter Dayna Hilton teaching fire safety messages to children all across the United States. Together the two have reached millions of children and their caregivers. The National Fire Protection Association, in 2007, stated that there were more than 1.5 million fires reported in the United States, with 3,430 civilian deaths and 17,675 civilian injuries and Sparkles and Firefighter Dayna hope to change these statistics, one presentation at a time. Sparkle's tail wags in excitement about learning and teaching fire safety together and riding in the big red fire truck! Dayna begins this book by highlighting important words or phrases that should be explained to children much like she begins her presentation when visiting local elementary schools. This book teaches the most important fire safety information that children should be learning at a young age to be prepared in case of a fire emergency. The photos help to illustrate what is being taught and Sparkles participates as well, crawling and getting low. Children are also taught how firefighters will keep them safety and whey the wear "special clothes" in a fire. This is a wonderful learning tool for children! Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog literally is a brilliant quick and easy read for children. Not only will they learn the importance of fire safety, but also by using the beautiful Dalmatian dog in colorful pictures throughout the book, it almost guarantees this becoming a child's favorite book to read and re-read all the while re-learning the importance of fire safety. Reading gives children skills in hangling complex thoughts, ideas and teachings. DogSport Magazine recommends.... every classroom investing in bringing this book into elementary schools to help in teaching fire safety. "

Hi paw to everyone at DogSport Magazine for helping us spread the fire safety message!

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Book Featured in Home Safety Council's "Start Safe" Curriculum

Thanks to Meri-K Appy and everyone at the Home Safety Council for including Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog in their new pre-school curriculum, "Start Safe."

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Fires and burns are a big problem in America for preschool-aged children. Each year, thousands are injured or killed from accidents in the home that could be prevented. The Home Safety Council has teamed up with Weekly Reader Custom Publishing on Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Program for Preschoolers and their Families.

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Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Office of Domestic Preparedness, Start Safe provides resources for preschool teachers and administrators to work hand-in-hand with a local fire department. Working together, using developmentally-appropriate teaching tools from Start Safe, teachers and local fire safety experts can deliver life-saving lessons to the preschoolers. Perhaps even more importantly, they can also reach parents and caregivers with key safety messages and help them take action to reduce the risk of fires and burns at home.

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Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is featured in their Teacher Resource section. To find more information and access to free materials, visit HERE.

Sparkles Big Trip to Indiana

Sparkles and I traveled to Indiana to attend the Fire Department Instructor's Conference in Indianapolis. We had the most amazing time, seeing old friends and meeting new ones!

xxxxxxxxSparkles poses outside the Indiana Conference Center

On Wednesday, Sparkles finally had the opportunity to meet Jake the Fire Dog. Jake teaches fire safety in Michigan.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxSparkles and Jake pose for pictures.

On Thursday, Sparkles and I were at the National Volunteer Fire Council booth.

Saturday we were at the IFSTA booth.

To see more pictures from our big adventure, click HERE.

New Newscast Videos Released

We just received these news videos are from Sparkles' visit to Celia Clinton Elementary School on February 24, 2009. To read more about Sparkles' and her help in saving the lives of two children and their families, click HERE.

Sparkles is headed to Indianapolis!

Sparkles is Headed to Indy!

Come visit Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis at the Indiana Convention Center. Please see the schedule below. Hope to see you there!






Thursday, April 23rd
National Volunteer Fire Council
2-5 P.M.
Booth 91

Saturday, April 25th
International Fire Services Training Association
9-12 A.M.
Booth 2450

Coloring Page Sent by Justin

Thanks, Justin, for sending Sparkles a picture of you
with your coloring page! We love it! You did a great job!

Would you like to send us your coloring page of Sparkles? You can get your very own coloring page HERE! Send it to sparkles@sparklesthefiresafetydog.com and we'll post it on our blogs!

New "Paw Signing" Poster

Sparkles and I can't wait for the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis! We will be at the IFSTA and NVFC booths.

Once again, IFSTA has come up with an amazing "Paw Signing" poster!

New Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Coloring Page

Get out the crayons! The new Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog coloring page is here! Click on the picture below to print off your copy and start coloring away!


Thank you to PBS KIDS Sprout for the use of their drawing!

New Coloring Page!

Click on the picture of Firefighter Dayna to get your coloring page!

Having Fun on the K9 Magazine Website

You can create your own cover on the K9 Magazine website with your pet. Here's what our "cover" looks like:

Vote for our cover HERE.

Create your own custom K9 Magazine cover using your photos! click here

Arkansas Literary Festival Brochure Released!

Sparkles and I can't wait to participate in the 2009 Arkansas Literary Festival in Little Rock, April 18th.

Click on the picture on the Arkansas Literary Festival poster to learn more! Sparkles and I hope to see you there!

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Book to be Listed as Resource in Upcoming Fire and Burn Safety Program for Preschoolers and Their Families

We are excited that our book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, is going to be listed as a resource in the The Home Safety Council's new program, Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Program for Preschoolers and Their Families. The Home Safety Council has numerous partners with this project, including the National Head Start Association, Oklahoma State University's Fire Protection Publications, the Weekly Reader, and Tyco. Funded by a Fire Prevention and Safety grant from U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA Office of Grants and Training, the program provides free materials to teach basic fire and burn safety lessons to children ages 4 – 6, along with parenting education on key safety messages. In August 2009, Start Safe packages will be made available to 5,000 members of the HSC Expert Network, including a training DVD for fire departments to learn effective methods for reaching very young children and their families as well as methods to evaluate program effectiveness.

Sparkles in the April Issue of FIDO Friendly Magazine

Sparkles is so excited to be featured in the April issue of FIDO Friendly magazine!

Sparkles in the April Issue of FIDO Friendly Magazine

Sparkles is so excited to be featured in the April issue of FIDO Friendly magazine!

Sparkles in the News

Sparkles was recently in the Greenwood Courier (AR) and the Greater Tulsa Reporter (OK).

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxGreenwood Democrat, March 18, 2009

xxxxxxGreater Tulsa Reporter, Mid-March to Mid-April 2009 Issue