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Fire Safety is an important issue for all of us. Residential fires are responsible for a tragic number of deaths, injuries and millions of dollars in property damage and health care costs annually. Fire is devastating and so final. Most people will never face a major fire but don't think it will never happen to you! Statistics show that your life will be affected by fire three times, either through personal experience or the experiences of family and friends. Tragedy can be prevented by awareness and vigilance. Do you have an emergency home escape plan in case of a fire? If you don't you should make one with your family. If you do have one, make sure that you practice your escape plan so that you are well prepared in case of a fire. Find the quickest and safest route outside to a meeting place. Draw up an exact floor plan of your house. That way you, will be as prepared as possible. Is your house safe? How many smoke alarms should I have in my house? What is carbon monoxide? Are you fire Safe? Go through the list below and make sure that you are aware of ALL the fire hazards around you! You should review this list with the rest of your family -- that way your whole family will be safe. 1. Escape Route PlanningDesignate two ways out of every room, if at all possible. Today’s media rooms (rooms created without windows) can create a particular fire entrapment issue, and parents should evaluate their home and establish a plan in those instances. 2. Windows Are For More Than Fresh AirMake sure that windows are not stuck closed, that screens can be removed quickly, and that security bars can be opened. For parents in particular, if a child’s bedroom is upstairs, they should be able to complete these tasks in the event of an emergency. 3. Second Floor SafetyEscape ladders should be placed near second floor windows, and children should practice using them. For extremely young kids, a “mini-exercise” from a first-floor window can at least educate the child as to expectations. 4. Feeling Way to SafetyChildren should practice feeling their way out of the home in the dark or with their eyes closed. Parents and providers can turn this into a game by blindfolding a child and placing in a room and asking them to feel their way to a designated area. Daycares and child care providers can set it up an obstacle course, and then provide cues and help so that when they reach a designated end point, a special treat awaits! (It could be as simple as lunch served outside!) 5. 9-1-1 Is A Critical Teaching SkillChildren should know how to call 911. Consider teaching a 911 song to reinforce the numbers (one option is sung to “Frere Jacques”): There’s a fire! There’s a fire! 9-1-1! 9-1-1! Call the fire department! Call the fire department! 9-1-1! 9-1-1! Reinforce this by letting them practice on an unplugged phone. Or, have them create telephones with large keypads they can practice on. (One crafty child care provider uses the small sticky notes taped on a cardboard phone cut-out.) 6. Smoke Detectors 101Teach children about smoke detectors, why they are installed, how they work, and the sound that they make. Children need to be able to associate the sound going off with a fire as part of fire safety for kids. Adults should change batteries regularly to avoid having the alarm go off because batteries are running low, and risk frightening a child. 7. Out Means Stay OutTeach children that once they are out of a burning house or building, they must go to the designated place and never, ever venture back in. If someone or a family pet is missing, they should inform a fire fighter or adult. There are too many tragedies that could have been avoided in the cases where an individual who has gotten out safely to venture back in the home or building, only to perish. 8. It's In The TouchInstruct kids how to check doors to see if they are hot, and if so, how to find another way out. Fire safety for kids includes having them find a towel to use for handling, touching or grabbing items to avoid burns, and to also use the towel or cover to protect their faces and cover their mouths. 9. Stop, Drop and RollTeach kids what to do in the event that their clothes catch fire. Make sure they understand “stop, drop and roll.” Many a fire-related injury could have been avoided or greatly minimized if a child heeded this advice instead of the natural instinct of running. 10. Practice MonthlyPractice your escape plan at least twice a year with children as part of fire safety for kids, preferably monthly. Families and providers should also practice fire drills and alter areas affected by fire. Provided as a public service by Fire Stop Enterprises
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