Students at Irvin Elementary School learned Thursday how to avoid all kinds of home hazards -- choking, falling, getting hurt in a fire, poisoning and drowning.

They didn't hear it in the classroom.

They visited a mobile traveling safety house -- the Great Safety Adventure, a nonprofit interactive exhibit on a national tour. Lowe's Home Improvement sponsors the exhibit, along with the Home Safety Council.

Accidental injuries at home result in about 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits each year in the United States, according to the council.

Irvin Principal Judi Mullis said students in kindergarten through fourth grade toured the small house, which unfolds from a tractor-trailer truck to create a replica of a living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and back yard.

Children and parents became "safety rangers" as they joined the quest to locate common safety hazards.

"I went through and got my badge" as a safety ranger, Mullis said.

In the living room, the children waved flashlights around, searching for the hidden hazards. For instance, newspapers and a box of matches sat next to a glowing (imitation) fireplace.

The children spotted that, as well as toys positioned dangerously on the stairs. Helping them on the tour was the Home Safety Hound, a dog with a red nose that lights up.

If they saw a home safety hazard, the children were told to say, "Code Red Rover, grown-up come over" -- reinforcing the importance of having an adult intervene.

The children also learned about the dangers of medicine cabinets and cleaning fluids, and about the benefits of smoke alarms and escape routes.

Outside hazards also were reviewed, such as safety helmets for bikes and fences around swimming pools.

Mechanical surprises were also exhibit features. After the children spotted a toy on the stairs, a safety ranger pressed a hidden button and the step flipped around so the toy disappeared, correcting the potentially dangerous situation.

Or a hot pot on the stove moved to the back burner from the front burner.

"It was very eye-catching for the children," Mullis said.