Andy Lights the Fire

You can see that this particular copy of a 1980s fire safety PIF was originally hosted on TV Ark, which had a thriving collection of them until they were taken down during a site redesign. I do recommend checking back occasionally to see if the PIF section returns, and the site is still well worth a look for any fans of vintage British television.

I find that a lot of public education campaigns are like the warning labels on Superman costumes. "Cape does not enable wearer to fly." You'd think that would be obvious, but there's always some moron who goes and does it anyway. Just like there are stupid people out there who think it's OK to give matches to young children. That's why this PIF looks and sounds like a Peter and Jane book, with really simple words so that such people will get the message:

"I'm drawing a hippopotamus for my homework! What are you going to do?"

"Light the fire!"

It's almost like watching a pantomime, isn't it? I'm half expecting Julian Clary to pop up out of the fireplace and start going "OH NO HE ISN'T!" Anyway, draw a hippopotamus? That's homework? And they wonder why, twenty years down the line, half of all UK school leavers can't read or write.

The consequences, of course, are just as predictable: Andy leaves the fire unattended, a bit of burning coal falls out and sets fire to his copy of the Beano, and within seconds the whole room is up in smoke. This accident could have been just as easily prevented by not letting people leave magazines all over the place. They're quite right, though: it's "never all right" to give matches to young children. Case in point, the 10 - year - old arsonist who recently made the news when he was hit with a court order banning him from having any matches or lighters until he's 16. Then he's free to celebrate by heading downtown to torch a couple of buildings.

I'd say this PIF was a good effort, but not right up there in terms of effectiveness. It might have worked better as a comedy sketch. Little Britain, say. Lou and Andy light the fire?

"Yeah, I know. I don't like fires."