| The National Fire Protection Association reports | | | | and even then, you'll still need to be prepared to |
| that in 2003 there were 3925 deaths due to | | | | help them if you ever do experience a house fire. |
| house fires. Furthermore, in the United States, | | | | Making them aware. First of all, children need to |
| someone dies in a fire every 134 minutes. Sadly, | | | | know about the dangers of fires. The National Fire |
| while children under the age of five make up only | | | | Protection Association cites that around |
| nine percent of the population, they make up | | | | one-fourth of fires are started due to children |
| seventeen percent of fire deaths. These statistics | | | | experimenting with fires. They need to know |
| are downright frightening, but the good news is | | | | about the dangers of fire. Additionally, it's the |
| that there are ways to prevent this from | | | | parents' responsibility to keep matches and |
| happening to your family. | | | | lighters out of reach of children. You should also |
| Be aware of potentially harmful objects in your | | | | teach children that if they see matches or lighters |
| home. There are everyday objects in most | | | | that they shouldn't touch them, but instead |
| homes that are true fire hazards - clothes dryers, | | | | immediately tell an adult. |
| furnaces, space heaters, fire places and appliances. | | | | The second way to make children aware stems |
| To reduce the risk of these items, stay aware of | | | | from the fact that studies have shown that |
| when they are in use and monitor them carefully. | | | | children are often in such a deep sleep that |
| For example, don't start a load of laundry in the | | | | standard smoke detectors do not wake them up |
| dryer and then leave the house to run errands. | | | | - even if they are in the children's bedrooms. It's |
| Turn off the dryer or stay home until the load is | | | | important to not only teach them what the |
| finished. Also, if you notice a strange smell coming | | | | smoke detector sounds like and what it means, |
| from a small appliance in the kitchen, there may | | | | but to also go in and wake them up if the smoke |
| be a fault in the wiring. Unplug it immediately and | | | | detectors go off in the middle of the night. |
| do not use it until it has been properly repaired. | | | | Practice makes perfect. Current recommendations |
| Bring fire into the home only under the strictest | | | | are that you make a fire escape plan and practice |
| supervision. Wood burning fireplaces and furnaces | | | | it often with your children. This includes making a |
| are a great treat in the cold winter months, but | | | | floor plan that highlights the multiple exits from |
| it's important to remember that by using these | | | | each room, making sure that the windows are |
| items you are welcoming fire into your home. Do | | | | not stuck and that the screens can be easily |
| so only under strict supervision and make sure | | | | removed and equipping upper stories with fire |
| that the furnace or fireplace is up to code. It's | | | | escape ladders. When you practice your fire |
| important to have all components of your wood | | | | escapes, make sure the children know how to |
| burner inspected yearly including the chimney. | | | | use the ladder. It's also a good idea to have |
| Candles are also dangerous. In fact, misuse of | | | | everyone practice "feeling" their way out of the |
| candles cause around two percent of all fires. It's | | | | house in case they are unable to see during the |
| not necessary to ban candles from your home, | | | | actual fire. |
| however, just use caution when lighting them. | | | | Having a plan and teaching your children how to |
| Trim the wicks and keep the flame away from | | | | use it is the best way to ensure that everyone |
| flammable substances and drafts. | | | | will escape the house in the event there is a fire. |
| Clutter is bad. One of the best ways to reduce | | | | Fire Safety Tips |
| fire in your home is to reduce the amount of | | | | 1. All houses should have at least one 85 decibel |
| clutter. This means keeping the garage or shop | | | | smoke detector on each floor and outside each |
| organized because there are often many | | | | bedroom door. These detectors should be tested |
| flammable substances in garages from gasoline | | | | monthly and the batteries should be replaced |
| and oil to paint and painting supplies. Dust and | | | | annually or as soon as they start chirping. |
| sawdust can also help fuel a fire when there is a | | | | 2. If you use a wood burner in your home (either |
| large build-up in the garage or attic. | | | | a fireplace or furnace) never, ever use a |
| Plan your escape route. Keeping corridors and | | | | flammable liquid to start a fire. Additionally, don't |
| exits clear of clutter is also a safety factor. If | | | | use treated wood, plastic or trash in your fire. |
| there would be a fire in your home, you'll want | | | | Doing so can emit poisonous fumes into the home |
| the exits clear and open to help you and your | | | | or it can cause corrosion to the furnace or |
| family exit as quickly and as smoothly as possible | | | | fireplace components. |
| - during fires, the amount of smoke can make it | | | | 3. Never ever leave a candle unattended even if |
| difficult to see obstacles. You'll also want to make | | | | you are just in a different room in the house. It's |
| sure there are two exits from every room in the | | | | also important that candles are not near |
| house, especially bedrooms. This may require you | | | | flammable items such as furniture, paper |
| to have fire ladders stashed in each room so that | | | | products, drapes or bedding. Drafts can grow the |
| you can use second and third story windows as | | | | flame and make it more susceptible to catching |
| emergency exits. | | | | something on fire. |
| Taking the proper steps to prevent fires in your | | | | 4. Have a fire extinguisher in your home. In fact, |
| home as well as preparing your potential exits will | | | | have one in the kitchen, one in the garage and |
| help you not only protect your house and your | | | | one in the workshop. All fire extinguishers should |
| family, but also better ensure a safe escape if | | | | be the ABC grade so that they can extinguish |
| there ever is a fire. | | | | fires on ordinary objects (grade A), flammable |
| Fire Safety and Children: Education is Key | | | | liquids (grade B) and electrical fires (grade C). |
| We cannot just expect our children to know what | | | | 5. Agree on a fixed location that your family will |
| to do when it comes to a house fire. It takes a | | | | meet at if there ever is a fire in your home so |
| lot of practice and a lot of repetition to help them | | | | that you can quickly do a head count to make |
| know what to do if the tragedy strikes the home | | | | sure everyone is out of the home. |