Home Fire Safety for Kids - InsuranceQuotes.org Home Resources Center Home Fire Safety for Kids Staring at dancing flames and listening to the crackle and pop of a campfire can be a relaxing and fun way to spend an evening. But while such fires can be a great opportunity for family bonding, fire is of course a deadly force, and its capacity for destruction should never be underestimated. For a fire to exist, three elements must always be present: fuel, a heat source, and oxygen. The exothermic chemical reaction that results from this trio sustains a fire and allows it to spread. If any one of the three elements is removed, a fire can be extinguished. Unfortunately, many house fires spread so rapidly that escape takes priority over extinguishment. All families, particularly those with young children, should be prepared for the possibility of a house fire. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), more than 3,400 U.S. residents die in fires every year . Ninety percent of these deaths occur in home fires . And perhaps most tragically, when the source of a fire is attributed to “playing with a heat source,” children under the age of 10 make up 93% of related deaths .

Children under age 5 are especially at risk; their natural curiosity about fire and their inability to escape from one without adult assistance makes for a deadly combination. Of all children under age 14 who die in home fires, more than half of them are under 5. These alarming statistics point to a need for families to take steps to prevent a fire, teach their children what to do in a fire, and prepare the entire family for the possibility of a fire. Some time spent in preparation can make the difference between life and death in the future. Creating a Fire Escape Plan While the idea of escaping a home during a fire may seem self-explanatory, it’s easy to underestimate how quickly a fire can spread, panicking family members caught unaware. Experts in fire safety recommend a written or drawn exit plan that has been practiced by the family as a group. Fire escape plans will vary between individual homes, but all of them should have the following three elements: Every room in the home should be clearly marked; ensure that pre-reading children understand that the escape route differs from different room to room. Two exits from every room should be identified. This is crucial, because a blocked hallway is not uncommon in house fires.

Secondary exits are usually windows or doors into another room. A pre-designated meeting spot for the family outside of the house. This should be clearly identified; younger children may better understand landmarks like an oak tree near the curb or a neighbor’s mailbox. The meeting place should be where emergency responders can easily see you, but far enough from a burning home to be safe. Some families need to consider other factors depending on their living situation. Infants, toddlers or disabled family members need assistance getting out of the home; some families assign one adult to each family member who needs help. A backup adult in case the whole family isn’t home is also a thoughtful step. Homes with second stories should be equipped with drop ladders from each window in the event that a secondary exit is necessary. High-rise condominiums may have security bars over the windows; ensure that these have quick-release capability in case of emergency. Drawing out a fire escape plan helps children to visualize what to do and may help you discover alternate escape routes you may not have noticed before. Predefined templates for this purpose are useful, as are smartphone apps that can help you devise your plan. Even the most thorough escape plan is unlikely to be useful if it’s not practiced.

Ideally, families with young children will practice their escape routes a couple of times a year. Escapes should be modeled from each room in the house and using both primary and secondary exits. It’s also wise to practice as though an actual fire is in progress; this means keeping low to the floor to escape toxic smoke, closing doors as you pass through them to slow the fire’s spread, and checking closed doors for heat or flames before they’re opened. Children can be taught to operate drop ladders on first-story windows. Lastly, time your exit practices with a stopwatch, practice escaping as quickly as possible. Best Practices for Your Family’s Safety Preparing your family for the actuality of a home fire goes beyond creating an escape plan. Fire safety experts also offer these tips on quickly exiting the home without further endangering life and limb. Be aware that young children naturally hide in scary situations, and seeing a firefighter dressed in full fire gear in a dark, smoky house can be terrifying to them. Teach them that emergency responders are the good guys and are there to help them escape. Familiarize them with firefighters’ uniforms. Demonstrate and practice Stop, Drop and Roll in the event that clothing catches fire.

Make your family aware that fire can spread very quickly, and you may have only minutes to exit the building safely. Understand that children are naturally fascinated by fire; make it very clear how dangerous it actually is. Show each family member how to check whether it’s safe to open a closed door by feeling the doorknob and hinges for heat. Clarify that most fire dangers are not from burns, but from smoke inhalation. Have family members practice holding a towel or piece of clothing over their mouths (moist, if possible), and keep to the cleaner air that’s closer to the floors. In the event that someone gets stuck in a room, practice covering the cracks around the door to prevent smoke and toxic fumes from entering. If the secondary exit is unusable (such as in a high-rise building or where there is no drop ladder), he or she should wait by a window and wave a light-colored item that firefighters can see. Stress that everyone’s first priority is exiting the home. Phone calls to the fire department should be made after exiting, and no one should ever re-enter a burning home. It’s best to assume that no child should attempt to put out a fire, but instead should run and call for help.

Sometimes, older children or teens can be taught the proper methods for putting out small fires. Fire extinguishers work best in small, contained areas, like a wastebasket or inside an oven. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a mnemonic acronym for fire extinguisher usage: PASS . To properly use a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin Sweep the nozzle from side to side. Water should never be used on a grease fire or electrical fire. Identifying Fire Hazards in the Home Examining your home carefully for potential fire hazards can save your children’s lives, not to mention prevent the loss and rebuilding of the family’s home and belongings. The protection provided by smoke detectors is essential. Smoke detectors should be installed in or just outside every bedroom, and throughout the rest of the home. Acquaint your children with the alarm sound so they’ll recognize it if the time comes. Test the batteries often and change them twice a year; many families use the Daylight Savings Time switch as a reminder for this task. Every kitchen should have a fire extinguisher. Young children should not be allowed to cook unsupervised ; likewise, pots and pans on the stovetop should be turned inward so that curious toddlers cannot reach the handles.

Many families also store cleaning supplies in the kitchen; take care to keep flammable liquids away from heat sources. Space heaters, a common culprit in home fires, should be placed 3 feet away from any flammable item and should always be turned off when not in use. Frayed cords from appliances or extension cords should be replaced, and electrical outlets should be covered in homes where toddlers live. Resist the temptation to overload extension cords, especially with high-amperage appliances. Fireplaces should be screened, and only slow-burning hardwoods should be used inside the home. Garages are typically used to store vehicles, their accessories, and items from household projects like paint. Gasoline should be covered tightly in plastic containers, and paint must be stored in its original paint can. Oily or greasy rags should be stored in a sealed container. As with kitchens, flammable liquids should be kept away from heat sources. Do not store old newspapers; warm, damp newsprint can spontaneously combust. Consider an attached garage as an exit strategy, and keep a pathway clear of obstructions in case your family needs to evacuate suddenly. Holiday seasons bring their own brand of fire hazards; the NFPA reports that fires originating from lit candles doubles during December.

Burn decorative candles with care, and blow them out when leaving a room. If you have a freshly-cut Christmas tree, water it frequently. Dried evergreen needles, perhaps having been sparked by old and frayed tree lights, can become a blazing fire with amazing speed. Don’t overlook the outdoor areas of your home, where fire hazards may also lurk. Remove any dead shrubbery or plant life that is near the home’s foundation. Store your gas or charcoal grill well away from the home, and store lawnmowers away from heat sources when not in use. Lastly, ensure that the roofing materials used on your home are flame-retardant. When You Need to Call for Help Most children, even young children, can memorize the numbers 9-1-1. Teaching kids when to call can be a bit more difficult, but it’s important that your children know that if ever in doubt, calling is appropriate . If a child is in an emergency, he or she will understandably be frightened and panicky. Fortunately, fire dispatch professionals are trained to calm excited children and work with them to send assistance. Nearly all 911 call centers are equipped with locator technology, so it’s not entirely necessary that your child know your street address.

It’s still a good idea, however; some families teach children a song that contains their name, address and phone number. A scared child may not remember his parent’s first name, but may still be able to sing the song if encouraged. Distinguish between giving personal details to strangers and answering questions from a 911 dispatcher or emergency first responder. Recognize that many children feel as though they are being quizzed if they are asked a series of questions, which may prompt them to invent perceived “right” answers. Explain that it’s permissible to tell a dispatcher that he or she doesn’t know the answer. Emergency dispatchers typically ask a series of questions about location, the type of emergency and whether anyone in the house needs immediate assistance. Dispatchers also keep callers on the line until first responders arrive, so make sure your child understands not to hang up. Role-playing can be an especially useful way to coach children in how to properly call for help when an adult is not present. Christie Sims, a dispatcher for Tompkins County in New York, says that children older than about 4 can be taught to call 911 ; younger children are unlikely to grasp the concept of an emergency or how to respond to one.

The Aftermath of a Home Fire Even if your family escaped injury, a home fire can have devastating emotional and financial consequences. Children, especially younger children who may not fully understand what happened, are sometimes quite traumatized by the experience. Not surprisingly, parents are also overwhelmed by mountains of paperwork, insurance claims, and the temporary housing search. If you’ve just gone through such an experience, remember that the enormous administrative tasks you face should not overshadow your child’s emotional reaction to a house fire. The distress your child may experience could originate from being dislocated from their home, the loss of a pet or beloved toys, the absence of typical routine or worry about injury or injured family members. The family could even be temporarily broken up immediately after a fire. Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are not unusual in children in these situations; such symptoms can include: Fear of another fire Strong reaction to sirens or fire engines Separation anxiety or clinginess Increased worry about other friends and relatives Irritability or depression Nightmares or insomnia Exacerbated pre-existing medical conditions Recovering from emotional trauma is often a matter of time.

A regular schedule, plenty of sleep, and good nutrition in the absence of home-cooked meals are all good steps toward helping your child rebound. Writing thoughts in a diary may be beneficial, and sometimes therapy is necessary. If your child is experiencing trauma from a home fire, continue to reassure him or her that life will eventually return to normal. Additional Fire Safety Resources You may find these resources helpful in teaching your children to respect fire and in educating them about the potential of a home fire. USFA Kids: FEMA’s U.S. Fire Administration for Kids page explains fire safety in the home, smoke alarms and how to escape from a fire in easy-to-understand language. Games like crossword puzzles and matching games help younger children grasp the concept of fire safety. Sparky.org: This entertaining and interactive site offers games, cartoons and fun activities for children as Sparky the Fire Dog explains fire safety. Fire Safe Kids!: This site focuses on the practical application of fire safety. Games, activity worksheets and coloring pages allow children to “practice” proper escape techniques and understand fires, and an Ask a Firefighter feature puts kids in direct contact with a firefighter. Arthur’s Fire Safety Tips: This popular PBS cartoon character addresses kids directly about fire hazards and preparation for a potential fire.

Games, video, activity pages and a friends community round out Arthur’s advice. Kids Fire Safety Tips: Animated characters Buzzy the Smoke Detector, Reddy the Fire Extinguisher and Squirt the Water Drop illustrate safety tips for children in a home fire. Dalmatian: The history of the lovable spotted Dalmatian and its association with firefighters is explained in detail. Parents who have children who are overly curious about fire may also find these resources to be helpful: Children Playing with Fire: This video from the NFPA discusses the rules and consequences that must be established for children who light fires. Counseling Children Who Play with Fire: Directed toward school counselors who may be called to work with fire-setting children, this article explores the motivations of fireplay and methods by which it can be discouraged. Types of Fire-setters: The American Psychological Association has identified six reasons that children may be motivated to start fires. A link to treatment methodology for these children is also included. What to Do if Your Child Sets Fires: The Portland, OR Fire Department has created this resources for parents of fire-setting children and adolescents. Common myths about the motivations behind fire-setting and detailed profiling of fire-setters are explained.

Kids and Fire Setting: The Burn Center at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado offers this resource to parents. Tips on how to know when a child has crossed from curious to dangerous behavior and warning signs of deliberate fire-setters are included. Share this article 7 Ways to Prevent a House Fire - wikiHow Checking the House 1 Inspect your home. You may need to recruit, or even hire, someone experienced in home electrical wiring, plumbing (gas), heating, and air conditioning to ensure that it is thoroughly inspected. You can also do the checks outlined in the following steps. 2 Check the condition of your home's electrical system. Look for improperly grounded receptacles. Many modern appliances require a "three pronged" (grounded) receptacle, but people will sometimes use an adapter to bypass this safety feature, or even break a ground prong off an appliance cord. Changing existing circuits to provide grounding is a job that is best left to a professional electrician. Look in the attic and crawl spaces for wiring which has been damaged by pests or insects. Some old wiring is insulated with a material which insects eat or chew on, and squirrels or other rodents will often chew the thermoplastic insulation off of modern nonmetallic cable (Romex).

Look for overloaded circuit breakers, panel boxes, or fuse boxes. Check for breakers or fuses which may have circuits "piggy-backed" on them. These are rated for single circuit protection, but sometimes in outdated or undersized panel boxes, people will put two or even more wires in the terminal of a single breaker or fuse. Notice flickering lights, or intermittent power surges. These conditions may be caused by outside influences, but if they occur often, they may indicate a bad connection or a short in the circuit. Note breakers which trip, or fuses that blow frequently. This is almost always a sign of an overloaded circuit or other wiring problem, usually of a most serious nature. Look at the individual breaker connections, especially in outdoor panel boxes, for corrosion, signs of thermal damage (smut or smokey residue near terminals) splices which are poorly taped or wire nutted, or abraded or damaged wire insulation. Check the ground cable. A failure in the building grounding system and bonding can be dangerous in regard to electrical shock, as well as fire. Look for loose split bolts, clamps, or other connecting devices, and corrosion. Be especially careful to notice any connections in wiring other than copper.

Installed correctly, and with tight connections, aluminum wire is not excessively dangerous, but when connections are made to copper wires, an electrolytic reaction may occur, causing increased resistance in the connection which will generate excessive heat. If you are able to apply an antioxidant compound to aluminum connections, it will help decrease the risk of oxidation causing a short circuit at these locations. 3 Check the natural gas/LP gas system in your home. You will want to look for loose fittings, leaking valves, faulty pilot lights, and debris or improperly stored flammable materials in areas near these appliances. Check the vent stacks on gas water heaters, furnaces, and clothes dryers. Check the automatic ignition systems or pilot lights on these fixtures, as well, particularly for any guards which are not properly installed, and for lint or dust buildup in the immediate area around them. Have the gas plumbing (pipes), valves, and regulators inspected by a professional any time you smell gas or suspect a leak. 4 Check the air conditioning and heating unit in your home. These systems operate with electric motors and air moving equipment which requires periodic maintenance. Clean, or have your interior AC coils cleaned, and replace your return air filters regularly.

This will prevent the fan motor from being overworked, and also save money on your energy bill. For window air conditioners, never use extension cords! Lubricate belt drive pulleys (where applicable), boss bearings on drive motors, and other equipment as needed. Have the resistance coils or furnace burners cleaned and serviced at the beginning of the heating season, since debris may accumulate there while the system is off during the summer. Listen to the system when it is operating. Squealing sounds, rumbling noises, or banging and tapping sounds may indicate loose parts or bearings which are seizing up. If you have access to a snap-on amp meter, you may check the amperage draw on the high amperage circuit to your heating coils to make sure they are in the normal operating range. Higher than normal amperage draw on a circuit indicates unusual resistance, and in an electrical circuit, resistance is what causes heat, and ultimately, fires. Method Checking and Safe Use of Household Items 1 Check your appliances. Keep your stove and oven clean, especially watching for grease accumulation.

Check stove vent hoods, clean the filter regularly, and make sure that if it is equipped with an exterior vent, insects or birds do not build nests or otherwise impede the air flow through it. Check the power cords for your appliances. Look for missing grounding prongs on the plugs and damaged insulation, and replace or repair them if defects are found. Keep the lint trap and outside vent clean in your clothes dryer. Some dryers have internal ductwork which may become clogged and require servicing, so if the dryer is operating poorly, have it checked. Lint or other material collecting near the heat coils in clothes dryers is extremely dangerous. Stay nearby while using the dryer. Have a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher nearby. If you must leave the area for a minute, turn off the dryer. After all, you are not going to be away long, and you can immediately turn the dryer on when you return. 2 Be very careful with space heaters. Keep flammable materials (curtains, the couch) a safe distance (usually 3 feet) from portable heaters. Set heaters where they are not in the traffic flow of the room. As a rule, extension cords are not recommended with space heaters.

Small, low wattage heaters may be an exception, but check the manufacturer's recommendations prior to using an extension cord with one. Be safe, just don't use extension cords. Use space heaters only on solid, firm surfaces. They should never be placed on tables, chairs or other places where they may tip over. Replace old space heaters with ones that will automatically turn off if tipped over. Do not drape fabric over lamps to dim them. Either buy a lower wattage bulb, or turn the lamp off. 3 Avoid using extension cords for air conditioners. An overheated cord is like an out-of-control electric heater. 4 Kitchen Safety 1 Stay in the kitchen when using the range for cooking. If you are leaving for just a minute, turn off all the burners on the range. Going to the basement for a can of tomatoes, or running out to check the mail, going to the bathroom, answering the phone in another part of the house? Simply turn off all the burners. After all, you are just leaving for a minute. You can immediately turn the pot or frying pan back on when you return. Taking this simple step will prevent one of the most common situations that cause house fires: unattended cooking.

When cooking with oil, keep a lid or flat cookie sheet close by. If flames appear, simply suffocate the fire with the lid and immediately turn off the stove or fryer to let it cool down. Do not try to move the pan. Do not use water. The super-heated water will explode into steam, and can cause severe burns, and oil can splash and spread the fire. 2 Don't cook when drinking alcohol, using drugs, or very tired. Eat something already prepared, make a cold sandwich, and go to sleep. Cook your meal later, when you are fully conscious. 3 Ensure tea cloths, tea towels dish rags etc are never left on the hob or burner. Never hang towels etc where they may fail onto a flame or hot surface. Method Taking Care in Daily Activities 1 Don't sit or lie down when smoking. Standing up will usually prevent you from falling asleep while smoking. Getting too tired? Put out the cigarette thoroughly in an ashtray or water-damp sink and go to bed. Do not smoke in bed - when you're in bed it's easy to fall asleep and drop your cigarette on the floor allowing it to set fire to the carpet. Cleaning out the ashtray?

Place the ashes in the sink and dampen them, then scoop them up and place them in the trash can away from the house. 2 Take care when drying laundry on airers or dryers by the fire. Try not to do this unless totally unavoidable. Dry clothes by radiators, or outdoors if possible. 3 Be careful with candles, oil lamps, and other open flame illumination or decorations. Cover the flame with a wire cage to prevent something from falling or blowing onto the flame, and to prevent children and pets from coming in contact with the flame. Extinguish any naked flames when leaving the room, if even for a minute. After all, you'll be right back, and you can immediately relight the candle or lamp. 4 Use caution with holiday decorations, particularly Christmas trees. Natural Christmas trees are highly combustible when they become dry, and old, damaged, or low quality tree lights cause many fires when combined with an under watered or otherwise dry tree. Watch a video of a Christmas tree fire. It is amazing how fast it can destroy a room, and a home. 5 After using matches, quickly place in or run under water to extinguish any invisible flame or heat source that could cause a fire in the trash can.

6 Outdoor Safety 1 Do not pile up lawn clippings near a building. Fermenting lawn clippings can create heat, and catch on fire. Barn fires start this way from bales of hay with no electricity; house fires have been started from a pile of lawn clippings. 2 Be careful using a grill on a deck. Decks are flammable. Place non-flammable pads under your grill. Have a fire extinguisher readily available. Stay with your grill while cooking. Turn off propane if leaving, if even for a minute. After all, you'll be right back and can turn on the propane again. Method Pet Safety 1 Crate train dogs. Use the crates when you are not home and when you're not awake, to prevent new dogs or puppies from chewing on electrical cords. This will also prevent pets from urinating on electrical objects and starting a fire. 2 Confine new cats to a safe room, a small room with no places for the cat to crawl into to hide (such as into the refrigerator motor), and no electrical cords. Use the safe room until the cat is calm and no longer hiding. Provide cats with edible oat or wheat grass, to prevent them from chewing on electrical cords.

Confine rabbits, chinchillas, and other pets when not supervising them, to prevent them from chewing on electrical cords, causing burns or electrical fires. Method Installing Fire Prevention Tools and Teaching Fire Safety 1 Install and maintain smoke detectors. Rental properties in many countries must have smoke detectors. If you have them in your home, keep them in good working order and if you don't have any, get some, or ask your landlord to install some. 2 Look into the possibility of installing a lightning protection system in your home if you live in an area where lightning is a frequent problem. The savings from reduced damages to appliances may offset the cost of this upgrade. 3 Consider having a home sprinkler system installed. This can be used to extinguish fires both when you are away and at home. 4 Teach your children not to play with lighters or matches. Children are often both the cause and victims of fires, and should not be allowed access to matches or cigarette lighters. Consider getting a lockable box, and keeping matches and lighters locked up. Community Q&A If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know.

Tips Do not block doors or windows which may be needed to escape fire. If you suspect or notice electrical problems or strange odors, don't hesitate to have them checked by a competent person. Test your fire alarms to make sure they work properly. If your clothes catch fire, stop drop and roll! If you run around, all you will do is fan the flames and make the fire worse. Install and maintain fire alarms , smoke detectors , and carbon monoxide detectors. There have been countless lives saved using these inexpensive devices. Contact your local Fire Department and request a Residential Home Survey. In most areas they will be happy to come out and give you advice and you are not required to do anything that they say if you don't want to. It is completely voluntary. Store only the minimum amount of any combustible material in your home, and keep it in the original, or a UL approved container. Teach your children proper evacuation techniques in case of a fire. Practice family fire drills, with a meeting place outside (by the tree in the front yard, or at the mailbox or front gate. That way you will all know that everyone is safely outside. Don't go back into a house on fire until the fire department says it is safe to do so.

Do not store oily rags, especially rags saturated with mineral spirits, paint thinners, or linseed oil. Under certain conditions, these materials may spontaneously combust (start on fire without any known source). Add a fire extinguisher to your kitchen and near your grill. Watch an educational video of a house fire with your older children. The smoke will be very black very quickly, unlike the fires on the movies. You have very little time to escape a fire. Make sure all electronic appliances are turned off before going to bed. Control and organize cables to prevent electrical fire. Check any bullseye glass in your homer, especially in your front door. This type of glass has been associated with a risk of fire. Warnings In case of a fire, get out of your home as quickly as possible, making sure all occupants are alerted and leave also. Do not use water on an electrical or grease fire. In electric fires, the water will conduct the electricity towards you and cause electrocution. In grease fires, the oil will heat the water extremely rapidly, which could cause the water to flash boil into steam, pushing the oil outwards and potentially spreading the fire. Do not burn debris or allow debris or combustible materials to accumulate near your home.

Sometimes, this can be illegal where you live. What to Do in a Fire What to Do in a Fire Qué hacer en caso de incendio Fire drills are a big part of being safe in school: They prepare you for what you need to do in case of a fire. But what if there was a fire where you live? Would you know what to do? Talking about fires can be scary because no one likes to think about people getting hurt or their things getting burned. But you can feel less worried if you are prepared. It's a good idea for families to talk about what they would do to escape a fire. Different families will have different strategies. Some kids live in one-story houses and other kids live in tall buildings. You'll want to talk about escape plans and escape routes, so let's start there. Know Your Way Out An escape plan can help every member of a family get out of a burning house. The idea is to get outside quickly and safely. Smoke from a fire can make it hard to see where things are, so it's important to learn and remember the different ways out of your home. How many exits are there? How do you get to them from your room?

It's a good idea to have your family draw a map of the escape plan. It's possible one way out could be blocked by fire or smoke, so you'll want to know where other ones are. And if you live in an apartment building, you'll want to know the best way to the stairwell or other emergency exits. Safety Steps If you're in a room with the door closed when the fire breaks out, you need to take a few extra steps: Check to see if there's heat or smoke coming in the cracks around the door. (You're checking to see if there's fire on the other side.) If you see smoke coming under the door — don't open the door! If you don't see smoke — touch the door. If the door is hot or very warm — don't open the door! If you don't see smoke — and the door is not hot — then use your fingers to lightly touch the doorknob. If the doorknob is hot or very warm — don't open the door! If the doorknob feels cool, and you can't see any smoke around the door, you can open the door very carefully and slowly.

When you open the door, if you feel a burst of heat or smoke pours into the room, quickly shut the door and make sure it is really closed. If there's no smoke or heat when you open the door, go toward your escape route exit. continue Stay Low If you can see smoke in the house, stay low to the ground as you make your way to the exit. In a fire, smoke and poisonous air hurt more people than the actual flames do. You'll breathe less smoke if you stay close to the ground. Smoke naturally rises, so if there is smoke while you're using your escape route, staying low means you can crawl under most of it. You can drop to the floor and crawl on your hands and knees below the smoke. Exiting through a door that leads outside should be your first choice as an escape route, but also ask your parents about windows and if they would be possible escape routes. Even windows on a higher floor could be safe escape routes if you had help, like from a firefighter or another adult. Ask your parents to teach you how to unlock the windows, open them, and remove the screen, if needed. Make sure you only do this in an emergency! Lots of kids are injured because they fall out of windows.

Sometimes, families even have collapsible rescue ladders that can be used to escape from upper floors of a house. If you have one, ask your mom or dad to show you how it works. In addition to planning your escape routes, you'll also want to know where family members will meet outside. This is helpful because then everyone shows up in one place and you'll know that everyone is safe. You might choose the front porch of a neighbor's house or some other nearby spot. It's normal to worry about your pets or a favorite toy, but if there is a fire, you have to leave them behind. The most important thing is that you get out safely. It's also important to know that you shouldn't stay in the house any longer than you must — not even to call 911 . Someone else can make that call from outside. Once you're out, do not go back in for anything — even pets. You can tell the fire rescue people about any pets that were left behind and they may be able to help. previous continue What if You Can't Get Out Right Away? If you can't get out fast, because fire or smoke is blocking an escape route, you'll want to yell for help.

You can do this from an open window or call 911 if you have a phone with you. Even if you're scared, never hide under the bed or in a closet. Then, firefighters will have a hard time finding you. Know that firefighters or other adults will be looking for you to help you out safely. The sooner they find you, the sooner you both can get out. In the meanwhile, keep heat and smoke from getting through the door by blocking the cracks around the door with sheets, blankets, and/or clothing. If there is a window in the room that is not possible to escape from, open it wide and stand in front of it. If you can grab a piece of clothing or a towel, place it over your mouth to keep from breathing in the smoke. This works even better if you wet the cloth first. Home Drills It's great to talk about emergency plans, but it's even better if you practice them, like the fire drills you have at school. Having a fire drill at home gives everyone a chance to see how they would react in a real emergency . You can see how quickly and safely everyone can get out of the house. Your family should practice this drill twice a year, every year.

It's also a good time to remind your parents to change the batteries in the smoke alarms. A good rule of thumb during a home fire drill is to see if your family can safely get out the house using the escape routes and meet outside at the same place within 3 minutes. For an extra challenge, you might try variations, like pretending that the front door was blocked and you couldn't get out that way. If Your Clothes Catch Fire A person's clothes could catch fire during a fire or by accident, like if you step too close to a candle. If this happens, don't run! Instead, stop, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll. This will cut off the air and put out the flames. An easy way to remember this is: Stop, Drop, and Roll! Preventing Fires Every year, kids of all ages start over 35,000 fires that hurt people and damage property. You can do your part to prevent fires by never playing with matches, lighters, and other fire sources. Also stay away from fireplaces, candles, and stoves. By following this advice, you'll be doing important work — preventing fires in the first place!

Public Education | Roanoke, VA Public Education Seasonal Safety Winter Safety As the temperatures dip into the teens, it's important to remember to take special precautions to protect yourself from the cold weather. Roanoke Fire-EMS and the Centers for Disease Control want to remind you how to keep you and your family safe during the winter months: • Dress warmly. Adults and children should wear a hat (nearly half of all body heat is lost through the head), scarf, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens/gloves, water resistant coat and boots, plus several layers of loose fitting clothing. • Limit your time outdoors. • Stay dry. Wet clothing chills the body rapidly. • Avoid exertion. Cold weather puts extra strain on the heart. • Understand wind chill. The wind chill index is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. • Avoid walking on ice. • Be safe during recreation, ie: skiing, snowboarding, sledding. Wear proper protective equipment (such as a helmet). Avoid perspiring or becoming overtired. • Do not step on to thin ice, you can easily fall through! Watch children near frozen bodies of water. • Take care when traveling.

Listen to travel advisories and keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent your gas line from freezing. Make sure to have food and water along with blankets in your car for emergencies. Cold Weather Health Emergencies Hypothermia When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. Waring signs of hypothermia are: Adults: • Very low energy What to Do If you notice any of these signs, take the person's temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, the situation is an emergency - get medical attention immediately! Frostbite Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.

The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures. Signs of frostbite are: • A white or grayish-yellow skin area • Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy • Numbness A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb. What to Do If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described above. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance. If there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows: • Get into a warm room as soon as possible. • Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes - this increases the damage. • Immerse the affected area in warm, not hot, water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body). • Warm the affected area using body heat if you don't use water.

For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers. • Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage. • Don't use a heating pad, heat lamp or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned. Safety Around the Yard Lawn Mowers Many of us don't think about lawn mowers as occupational hazards. We start using them at a very young age, and we certainly don't need a license to mow the lawn. Here are a few simple precautions to ensure your safety - please read them carefully: • Inspect the lawn mower - this should be done prior to starting! o Make sure that the blade is sharp and secure. Thin or worn blades should be replaced right away. o Ensure that the shields and other guards, such as rear drag shields and discharge deflectors, are in place and working properly. o Wear protective equipment. Wear non-slip footwear and hearing protection. • Be prepared for obstacles. o Keep people away from the work area - mowers can throw objects in any direction.

o Clear the work area of rocks, bottles and debris that might be thrown by the blades. o Watch for hidden hazards, such as holes, roots, drain pipes and insect nests. o Proceed slowly into tall, heavy grass to avoid choking the mower or stalling the motor. o Use caution around low hanging branches and shrubs. o Set mower at the highest cutting level when operating on rough ground. o Do not leave blades rotating when crossing graveled areas. • Don't touch! o Keep hands away from the blades at all times. o Expose the underside of a mower for maintenance only after shutting off. • Never reach under the machine o Disconnect the spark plug or unplug an electric mower before sharpening, replacing or cleaning. o Mow away from the cord when using an electric lawn mower. o Do not touch hot motor parts. o Do not spray cold water on a hot engine. o Do not make wheel height adjustments while the motor is running. o Do not refuel the mower while the engine is running. o Mow across slopes so that your feet are less likely to slide under the mower, and the mower cannot roll back - always mow standing up, not bent over. o Do not mow surfaces that are slippery.

• Finally - know the controls and how to stop the mower quickly and never leave a running mower unattended Gasoline Storage You should only store enough gasoline to power your gasoline-fueled equipment. This gasoline should be stored outdoors, in a shed for example - gasoline should never be stored in your home or attached garage. Gasoline should be stored in an approved and clearly labeled container and should be well away from any sources of heat or flame. Gasoline should only be used as motor fuel and never as: • A stain remover • Grease cleaner • Automotive parts cleaner, etc. To transport gasoline in an automobile to and from a filling station, place the sealed, approved container in the trunk and leave the trunk lid open slightly. Never store gasoline in a car - drive directly to and from the filling station. Never smoke when using gasoline or refilling gas powered equipment, and always turn equipment off before adding fuel. Pool Chemicals Liquid and solid chlorine-based oxidizers are commonly sold for home pool care as hydrogen chloride products. These chemicals can spontaneously combust if contaminated by organic materials, such as body fluids, rain, hydrocarbon liquids such as fuel oil or motor oil. This type of fire will result in toxic fumes that can be extremely dangerous, and require resident evacuation.

• Store and use pool chemicals according to manufacturer's recommendations. • Containers should be kept in a dry place. • Never store pool chemicals in the home, near sources of heat or flame, and never in direct sunlight. It's possible to enjoy a sizzling-hot summer without getting burned! By following these quick and simple steps, we can all keep summer activities fun and fire-safe. Summer Safety Grilling: • Keep barbecue grills far away from anything that can burn -- your home, cars, dry vegetation, etc. Stay with the grill when lit, and keep children and pets well away from the area. When barbecuing, protect yourself by wearing a heavy apron and an oven mitt that fits over your forearm. If you get burned, run cool water over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes. If you receive a serious burn, seek medical attention promptly. • Barbecue grills must never be used inside the home because, in addition to the fire hazard of indoor grilling, the grill can easily cause carbon monoxide poisoning. If lightning appears while you're grilling, seek shelter and wait for the storm to pass. • Use only a limited amount of starter fluid (never gasoline) before lighting a charcoal grill.

If the fire is too slow, rekindle with dry kindling and add more charcoal if necessary. After use, soak the coals with water before you discard them and leave the grill away from the house until completely cool. For gas grills, always store the gas cylinder outside, away from structures, and turn off the valves when not in use. Camping • Pitch your flame-retardant tent well away from your campfire. • Only use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns inside the tent or other close space. • Build your campfire away from your tent, clearing away all vegetation and digging a pit surrounded by rocks. • Look for signs of potential fire hazards in national forests and campgrounds, and always obey park service regulations. • Pour water over or cover the fire with dirt before going to sleep or leaving the campsite. Heat Stroke & Other Heat-Related Illness When the temperature rises, the risk of a heat-related injury rises as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Red Cross, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer's heat and humidity.

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Here are some tips: • Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella. • Drink plenty of water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. • Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat. • Take it easy. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning before 7 a.m. • Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning. • Remember - never leave a child inside of a car - temperatures can heat up to over 120 degrees within minutes.

• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say "broad spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" on their labels). General Care for Heat Emergencies Heat Cramps or Heat Exhaustion If someone you know is suffering from heat cramps or heat exhaustion get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 911 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness. Heat Stroke Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems.

Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink. Firework Safety Nothing says 4th of July like fireworks! But you must make sure to exercise extreme caution around fireworks to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. Sparklers are also a popular way to help celebrate, but they can be very dangerous. Over 50% of sparkler related injuries happen to kids under the age of 14! Roanoke Fire-EMS, The National Council on Fireworks Safety and The Consumer Product Safety Commission want to share some safety tips to help you and your family enjoy a happy and safe 4th of July: • Always buy from reliable sellers. Never buy illegal fireworks such as M-80s,M-100s, quarterpounders and blockbusters. These are federally banned explosives.

Illegal fireworks are classified as any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket or other substance or object, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known, as fireworks that explode, rise into the air or travel laterally, or fires projectiles into the air. • Always read and follow label directions. • Always have an adult present. • Use all fireworks and sparklers outdoors only. Keep them away from clothing and flammable objects. • Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket). • Light only 1 firework or sparkler at a time. • Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water). • Never give fireworks or sparklers to small children. Children under the age of 12 should not handle sparklers. They can reach up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit! • Dispose of fireworks and sparklers properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trashcan. • Never throw or point fireworks or sparklers at other people. Be sure that everyone is out of range before lighting fireworks. • Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers. • The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework. Fireworks can cause serious burns or eye injuries. • Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Be responsible. • When watching a public fireworks display, always obey all ushers or monitors and respect the safety barriers set up to allow the trained operator room to safely to their job. • If you find a firework that falls to the ground without exploding, do not touch it - contact the local fire or police department. • Leave the pets at home if visiting a fireworks show - they have very sensitive ears and the booms and bangs associated with fireworks Halloween Safety Planning ahead can help make Halloween a fire-safe holiday! Taking simple fire safety precautions, like making sure fabrics for costumes and decorative materials are flame-resistant, can prevent fires. Safety Tips • Purchase only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. When creating a costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes in contact with heat or flame. Avoid billowing or long trailing features. • Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable.

Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, heaters, etc. • Use extreme caution when decorating with candles, and supervise children at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside Jack-O-Lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches and be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from all combustible items. Pumpkins can also be illuminated with small, inexpensive flashlights. • Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes. • Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. Flashlights are much safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting. • Instruct children to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Be sure children know how to stop, drop and roll in the event their clothing catches fire (stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames). • Instruct children who are attending parties at others' homes to locate the exits and plan how they would get out in an emergency. • Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume.

Fire & Life Safety Smoke Alarms Smoke alarms are credited with saving lives each and every year. But did you know that many homes still do not have working smoke alarms? Here are some safety tips: • Install at least 1 smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement & attic) and outside each sleeping area. • If you sleep with the door closed, install smoke alarms inside of the room. In new homes, smoke alarms are required in all sleeping rooms according to the National Fire Alarm Code. • Ensure that all members of your family can hear the smoke alarm – especially the children. • If someone is hearing impaired, install smoke alarms that flash a strobe light as well as sound the alarm or shake the bed. While smoke alarms alert people to fires, families still need to develop and practice home fire escape plans so that they can get out quickly. • Because smoke rises, alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings. Wall-mounted alarms should be positioned 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling; ceiling-mounted alarms should be positioned 4 inches away from the nearest wall. On vaulted ceilings, be sure to mount the alarm at the highest point of the ceiling.

• Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window, door or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with their operation. • Be sure that the smoke alarm you buy carries the label of an independent testing lab. • Alarms that are hard-wired to the home's electrical system should be installed by a qualified electrician. Maintaining Your Smoke Alarm • Test smoke alarms at least once a month, by using the alarm's "test button," and clean the units in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. • Clean smoke alarms using a vacuum cleaner without removing the alarm's cover. • Install new batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year, for example, on the day you change your clocks or when the alarm chirps (warning that the battery is dying). • Replace all smoke alarm batteries immediately upon moving into a new home. • Keep batteries in smoke alarms; do not borrow them for other purposes. Nuisance activation can be addressed by moving an alarm farther away from kitchen smoke or bathroom steam and by more frequent cleaning. If the problem persists, replace the alarm. • Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. Home Fire Escape Planning Everyone can be taught the basics of home fire escape.

Developing and practicing a home fire escape plan is the key to survival should a fire occur in your home. In the event of a fire, time is the biggest enemy and every second counts. In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. Escape plans can help you get out of your home quickly. That is why every home needs to practice E.D.I.T.H. (exit drills in the home). Remember: • Plan and practice your plan. • If your home catches on fire: stay low, get out and stay out! • If your clothes catch fire: stop, drop, and roll until the flames are put out. Practice Your Plan • Plan your escape and practice it at least twice a year. • Draw a floor plan of your home. • Show 2 ways out of every room - if fire or smoke blocks the primary exit, you will need another way out (i.e., a window). You can also buy an approved collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows. • Practice escaping from every room in the home. • Agree on a meeting place where everyone will gather after you have escaped.

• Designate 1 person to go to a neighbor's house to call 911. • Make sure that windows are not stuck and that screens can be taken out quickly. • Provide alternatives for anyone with a disability. Things to Remember & Include in Your Escape Plan A proper escape plan includes: • Working smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside all sleeping areas • 2 ways out of each room • Unobstructed and easy-to-use exits • A posted emergency phone number for the fire department • Practicing the plan at least twice a year with every member of the household • If there are infants or family members with mobility limitations, someone in the household should plan to assist them. • Make sure that doors needed for escape can be opened easily and that windows are not nailed or painted shut. • To make sure the fire is not on the other side of the door, use the back of your hand to feel a closed door, the doorknob and the crack between the door and door frame. If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully. If heat and smoke come in, slam the door and make sure that it is securely closed, then use your alternate escape route.

• As you leave the home, shut the doors behind you. • React immediately to the sound of a smoke alarm and make getting out your top priority. Do not waste any time trying to save property. Take the safest exit route, but if you must escape through smoke, remember to crawl low under the smoke and keep your mouth covered. Close doors as you escape to slow the spread of the fire. • Escape FIRST, then call 911. Never go back inside the home for any reason. • Teach children not to hide from firefighters. If someone is missing from your meeting place, tell a firefighter. They are equipped and trained to perform rescues safely. Cooking Safety Cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries. The majority of cooking equipment fires start with the ignition of common household items (i.e., wall coverings, paper or plastic bags, curtains, etc.). Safety Tips • When cooking food on a stove top, never leave it unattended. Also, keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven. • Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (i.e., potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).

• Keep children and pets away from cooking areas by creating a 3-foot (1-meter) "kid-free zone" around the stove. • Turn pot handles inward so they can't be bumped and children can't grab them. • Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire. • Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated. • Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen, actually spreading the fire. • If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. • If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Call the fire department and make sure to have the oven serviced before you use it again.

Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from micro waved food carefully to prevent steam burns. Smoking Safety Did you know that smoking is the number one cause of fatal fire? Here are some tips to keep you safe: • If you smoke, use fire safe cigarettes. • Use fire safe cigarettes. If you do smoke, smoke outside – never in bed or in a chair. • Use deep, sturdy ashtrays and keep them from anything that can burn. • Make sure to always wet your ashes before disposing of them. • Keep cigarettes, matches & lighters out of the reach of children. • Never smoke while on oxygen. Carbon Monoxide Alarms Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are possible sources of CO. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage also can produce dangerous levels of CO.

You can protect yourself again CO poisoning by properly installing, using, venting, and maintaining your heating and cooking equipment; by installing CO alarms inside your home; and by being cautious with vehicles or generators in attached garages. How to protect yourself: • Have at least 1 audible carbon monoxide alarm installed in your home to provide early warning of accumulating CO. However, a CO alarm is no substitute for safe practices. • The best defenses against CO poisoning are safe use of vehicles (particularly in attached garages) and proper installation, use, venting and maintenance of household cooking and heating equipment. • Choose an alarm that has Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. listed. Look for the UL logo on the package. • Have a qualified appliance technician check all fuel-burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney system at least once a year or as recommended by the manufacturer. How Carbon Monoxide Alarms Work Carbon monoxide alarms sound based on the exposure to CO over time. They are designed to sound an alarm before the average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. Remember, it is the exposure to carbon monoxide over time that poses a threat. Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms give earlier warning of a fire, providing more time to escape. Know the difference between the sound of the smoke alarm and the sound of the CO alarm! What Do I Do If The Carbon Monoxide Alarm Goes Off? • Do not panic! • Have everyone move to an area with fresh (outside) air. Do not open windows until firefighters arrive to get an accurate reading of CO levels in the home. • Call 911. • Do not re-enter your home until the emergency responder has arrived, your home is aired out, and your carbon monoxide alarm returns to normal operation. • Call a qualified technician to inspect all equipment. Fire Extinguishers A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the #1 priority for residents is to get out safely. Here are some tips: • Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing. Make sure everyone has exited the building, 911 has been called or is being called, and the room is not filled with smoke.

• To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS. o Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism. o Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire. o Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. o Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side. • For your home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle. • Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory. • Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. • Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately. Fire & Fall Prevention For Older Adults Ah, the senior years.

These are supposed to be the days of relaxing, enjoying your grandchildren and just plain enjoying life, but according to the Virginia Department of Health and National Fire Protection Association, each year many older adults die or experience permanent disabilities after a home fire or fall. Adults age 65 are twice as likely to be killed or injured by falls or fires, compared to the population at large. By the age of 75, that risk increases to 3 times that of the general population, 4 times at age 85. In 2002, 2,300 senior citizens were injured or killed in residential fires. This is a staggering statistic. So, take a moment and read the below tips to keep you and your loved ones safe. Prevent Fires • Install a smoke alarm on each level of your home. Make sure to also have a smoke alarm near the bedroom. • Check your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries twice a year. • Keep yourself and anything that can burn at least 3 feet from space heaters, portable heaters and wood stoves. Turn off and unplug heaters when you leave your home or go to bed.

• If you smoke, use large, deep ashtrays and wet cigarette butts and ashes before emptying them into the trash. • Never smoke when drowsy, lying down or in bed. • When cooking, wear tight-fitting or rolled up sleeves. Use oven mitts to handle hot pans and never leave cooking unattended. • "Stop, drop and roll" if your clothes catch on fire. • If you have a grease fire on the stove, cover it with a lid. Never put water on the fire. • Immerse burns in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If burn is severe, get medical attention. Never put butter or grease on a burn. • Know 2 ways out of each room. Plan and practice your fire escape. In a fire, get out and stay out! • If there is a fire, never call 911 from your home. Call from a neighbors house after you have escaped. Prevent Falls • Exercise regularly to build strength and improve balance and coordination. • Keep stairs and walkways clear of tripping hazards. • See an eye specialist once a year. • Improve the lighting in your home.

Turn on the lights before using the stairs and install a night-light along the path between the bedroom and bathroom. • Use non-slip mats in the tub or shower. • Use only throw rugs with rubber, non-skid backing. • Install handrails along both sides of the stairs. • Wear sturdy, well-fitted, low-heeled shoes with non-slip soles. • Have a pharmacist review all of your medication. Heating Safety The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many people to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of wood burning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning wood and man-made logs. All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are, however, a major contributing factor in residential fires. Many of these fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire safe home this winter. Kerosene Heaters • Be sure your heater is in good working condition. Inspect exhaust parts for carbon buildup. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case it is tipped over. • Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room venting.

Burning fuel (coal or kerosene or propane, for example) can produce deadly fumes. • Use only the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer.Never introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that type fuel. • Keep kerosene or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of the house. • Never fill the heater while it is operating or hot. When refueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid overfilling. Do not use cold fuel for it may expand in the tank as it warms up. • Refueling should be done outside of the home (outdoors). • Keep young children away from space heaters - especially when they are wearing night gowns or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited. • When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide. Wood Stoves & Fireplaces • Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36 inches) from combustible surfaces, and proper floor support and protection. • Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be UL Listed.

• Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time. • Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire. • Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from jumping our, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns. • The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15 to 30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup. • Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire. • Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. • Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials. • Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house. • If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package.

Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than 1 log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide. Furnace Heating

Question: Taught to children, what are the 3 recommended steps one takes when one spontaneously catches on fire?
Answer: Stop, drop, and roll