Fire Safety

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Fire can spread very quickly. A small fire can grow into a large one in only a few minutes! There are steps you and your family can take to prevent fires in your home, but sometimes fires do happen, so you should always be prepared in case such a thing should happen to you.

  • Ask your parents if there are smoke detectors on every level of your home and in every sleeping area. If not, ask them if they would put them in for your family's safety.

  • Be sure to follow the directions on how often to test the smoke detectors (usually once a month) and how often to change their batteries (usually it is once or twice a year as long as the detector isn't "chirping" to signal a low battery).

  • Find out if there are fire extinguishers in your kitchen, basement and garage. If not, your parents may also want to consider getting some.

  • Keep a flashlight near your bed in case you need to find your way through the dark in an emergency.

  • Plan a few fire escape routes with your family in case of a fire. If you only plan on one escape route, there is a chance that way may be blocked in the fire, so having 2 or more plans may be better.

  • If you ever find matches or a lighter where you or other young kids can reach them, do not touch them, but tell an adult so that they can put them in a safer place. Remember that matches and lighters are tools, NOT TOYS!

  • Too many items plugged into a single outlet area can be dangerous. Try not to let this happen!

If you are caught in a fire, here are some tips that will help you escape to safety (you can do it!):

  • It will be scarey, but try to remain calm.

  • If your parents have taught you an escape route, try to follow the plan that you learned.

  • Touch any doors that are closed before opening them. If a door is hot, DO NOT OPEN IT! Find another way out or scream for help so rescuers will know you are there.

  • If the area you are in is smokey, crawl low to the ground, under the smoke.

  • Once you get out, be sure to stay out! Never go back into a burning building. Do not stop or go back for anything, even a pet or a favorite toy. A call to 9-1-1 should be made after you get outside. Meet your other family members in the pre-planned meeting place, if you have one.

  • If your clothes catch fire, Stop, Drop and Roll.

    • stop right away, do not run

    • drop or lay on the ground

    • cover your face and eyes with your hands while you roll yourself back and forth quickly to put out the flames.

Can you Stop, Drop and Roll? You should practice the Stop, Drop and Roll method with an adult to be sure you are doing it the right way. This way you can be prepared. When you finish practicing, go to the activity section to get a certificate to reward yourself! You'll also find other activities related to fire safety in the activity section.

Plan a visit to your local fire station for a tour. Firefighters can look scarey when they are in full gear, but they save lives, so you should not be afraid of them or hide from them when they are trying to help you get to safety. Visiting your local fire station may let you see a firefighter all dressed up so that you can learn they aren't so scarey under all that equipment!

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