DATE:     10/1/99   
CONTACT:  Sarah Dubose, (864) 656-4049
WRITER:   Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

1999 4-H Fire Safety Contest Offers Students $1,200 In Prizes

     CLEMSON -- South Carolina elementary and high school
students can compete for $1,200 in cash prizes in the 1999 4-H
Fire Safety Contest. 
     The art and writing contest is part of a statewide effort to
make young people more aware of fire safety issues, said Sarah
Dubose, fire education coordinator for the Clemson University 
Cooperative Extension Service.
     The contest is open to students in grades K-12 and will be
judged at both the county and state levels. First and second
place winners will be selected in both poster art and creative
writing. Winners will be chosen in four grade groups - K through
two, three through five, six through eight and nine through 12. 
     "Contestants will write essays and make posters based on the
theme 'Fire Drills: The Great Escape!' "Dubose said.
     All entries must be submitted to your county Clemson
Extension office by October 8. 
     Prize money totaling $1,200 will be distributed among 16
state winners. In addition, teachers of all state winners will
receive $50 for classroom activities. First place winners'
schools will receive a trophy.
     Winners will be recognized during a December award ceremony 
at the Madren Center on the campus of Clemson University. Winning
entries will be displayed throughout the state.
     The contest is sponsored by Clemson Extension, Independent
Insurance Agents of South Carolina, the S.C. State Firemen's
Association and the S.C. Farm Bureau Insurance Companies.
     For more information about the contest or about fire safety 
education programs, contact your county Extension office.
                              END