Three Administration & Finance departments spent part of their workday engaging with children of faculty and staff during the University of Houston’s Take Your Child to Work Day in June.
The University of Houston Police Department (UHPD), Fire & Life Safety — including Food Safety — and Environmental Health & Safety each hosted interactive, hands-on activities designed to introduce children to their work.
Fire & Life Safety and Food Safety
Children began their day with Food Safety, where they learned about the importance of proper handwashing and how germs spread. After washing their hands, the lights were turned off while Karla Acosta, Food Safety Manager, used a black light to reveal how effectively they had cleaned their hands.
Following this activity, Fire & Life Safety introduced children to fire safety using a laser-driven fire extinguisher training system. Fire Safety Technician Chris Barrientes guided each participant through the process of extinguishing a digital fire. The children eagerly took turns with the extinguisher, successfully “putting out” the fire with enthusiasm and smiles.
Among the participants was 11-year-old Reagan, who attended the event with her mother,
Dr. Leslie Harrison-Williams, Director of Student Advisement at the UH Law Center.
Although new to UH, Harrison-Williams was eager to participate.
“I’m new here, so I wanted her to experience all the newness of UH as well,” Harrison-Williams
said, noting that Reagan was equally excited to be part of the event.
UHPD
Due to a downpour, UHPD adjusted their plans, moving inside instead of showcasing a patrol vehicle. Children gathered at MD Anderson’s Elizabeth Rockwell Pavilion, where they participated in coloring activities featuring police-themed illustrations.
Antonio Hurt, Program Manager for the Engineering Career Center, attended the event with his six-year-old daughter, Ashlynn, who has participated in Take Your Child to Work Day three times.
“She enjoys it — there are always activities for the kids, and she gets to see where
I work,” Hurt said.
While Ashlynn may not fully know what her father does at UH, she knows he has an office
— and after participating in the fire extinguisher activity, she confidently shared
that she feels ready to put out a fire.
Environmental Health & Safety
For many children, the final stop was Environmental Health & Safety, hosted at the Science Teaching Laboratory Building. There, participants were introduced to basic laboratory safety practices and explored common safety equipment used in lab environments.
Activities included identifying hazard symbols, practicing proper handwashing, and testing pH levels in liquids, among others.
For Veronica McKissic, Transfer Advising Program Advisor, bringing her children — 12-year-old Jonathan and 8-year-old Keyonna — was an opportunity to spark interest in higher education.
“I want to show them what UH has to offer so hopefully they’ll come to UH one day as students,” McKissic said. “They enjoyed the labs a lot, and the fire department did a fantastic job as well. They enjoyed the whole day — it’s well put together.”
Closing Thought
Harrison-Williams also reflected on the broader impact of the event.
“Hosting events like this shows that UH truly cares — about faculty, staff, students,
and their families. It reinforces that everyone matters.”