TEACHING FIRE-SAFETY BASICS AT HOME CAN SAVE LIVES
Even small children who are well-coached can understand what to do when the smoke alarm sounds
Thousands of children,
fire-drill trained by their teachers, escape unharmed from
burning school buildings every
year. Little brothers and sisters
need the same kind of training
at home. In fact, the whole
family should have an escape
plan and practice leaving the
house quickly and safely - just
in case.
FATAL MISTAKES
Most children don't know
what to do when a house
catches on fire. They make
deadly mistakes. They rush
into a smoke-filled hallway or
down a burning stairway,
when they might have gone
safely out a window. They
panic. They hide in a closet or
under the bedcovers and wait
for Mom or Dad to rescue
them. They run back into the
house to save a pet or toy.
But when you teach them
the basics and hold fire drills,
even small children have a
better chance of escaping death
or injury in a house fire.
THE BASICS
Here are some of the most
important fire facts children
should learn:
One little match can burn
down a house and kill you.
Smoke can kill you, so you
must get away from it fast.
The air close to the floor is
safest for you to breathe.
(Since smoke rises, upstairs
bedrooms are one of the
worst places to be in case of
fire, so you must get to fresh
air quickly.)
Fire can spread through the
house in just minutes.
If a door is hot when you
touch it, don't open it -
smoke or fire can rush in. Go
out a window instead.
When a house is on fire,
THINGS aren't important
anymore, just people!
What if your clothes catch fire
If your clothes catch fire,
roll on the floor, or roll on
the ground, or roll up in a blanket, rug comfortor anything large enough to choak out the flames.
Don't panic and never run this will fan the flames!
USING THE APPROACH OF A GAME CAN HELP YOUNG CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS YOU WANT THEM TO LEARN
A game approach can make
fire drills fun for small children, even though they realize
that fire is serious business.
They need to understand
that fires can happen, but that
people can get away from
them, too. Then if a real fire
comes, they are not nearly as
likely to become confused or
paralyzed with fear.
They'll be better able to
stay calm and get out safely
and quickly, especially if
they've taken part in home fire
drills.
Young children can learn 
how to open their window,
climb out and go down a commercial
fire escape ladder.
Older children could go down
hand-over-hand on a length of
strong, knotted rope.
Stairways can fill up with
heat and deadly smoke, so it's
particularly important for
upstairs rooms to have a way
to escape through a window.
YOUR ESCAPE PLAN
When you work out your
family fire escape plan, try to
have at least two alternate
routes out of the house. If
you live in the country, have
survival equipment stashed in
your car, particularly in cold
weather - flashlights, sweaters,
sleeping bags, blankets - plus
an extra ignition key hidden in
the glove compartment or
other safe place.
Make sure, too, that your
smoke alarms (preferably one
in each bedroom, as well as in
the main part of the house) and
fire extinguishers are in
working order.
FIRE DRILL
Trigger your fire drill with
a referee's whistle, or by setting
off one of your smoke alarms.
Some families hang a referee's
whistle over the inside doorknob in every bedroom, to be
used ONLY in case of a fire
emergency or fire drill.
Once everyone is safely out
of the house, you should all
meet at the same place
- by the
car
- under a big tree in the yard
- whatever spot was agreed
upon ahead of time.
You want
to avoid having anyone risk his
or her life by going back into
the house for someone who is
already safe.
After you hold several
daytime drills, have a surprise
drill at night, when most fires
happen. Practice getting out
fast. Race against the clock!
Fire and smoke can engulf
a house with terrifying speed.
Fumes from burning synthetic
wall/floor coverings and other
modern home furnishings are
particularly lethal. Never risk
going back inside. Plan to call
the fire department from a
neighbor's house, once everyone is safely out.
FIRE CAUSES
Some of the major causes of house fires
is using a stove or cooking appliance carelessly or improperly.
Also improperly installed and maintained heating systems,
faulty wiring, careless smoking, and children playing
with matches. Your chimney and woodburning stove or appliance is another deadly cause if not properly installed and maintained
CHIMNEY SWEEPS
The good news is that professional chimney sweeps in
North America make fire prevention and fire safety two of their top priorities.
The skillful inspection, cleaning, repairing or relining of
your chimney and a careful check of your stove hook-up
could prevent a fire at your house this winter. Just make
sure the sweep you hire is experienced, well-qualified and
has a good local reputation.
One August night when I was
11, 1 awoke to crackling flames outside my window
I aroused my family and visiting friends and we
all escaped the burning house.
It is one of the most vivid memorires from my
childhood, and I have slept scared ever since. It is
part of the reason I write articles
like this and publish a magazine for chimney sweeps.
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Credits for the article - by Jay Hensley - Ilinstratians by Linda Miller
Reprinted, with permission, from the September 2000 issue of SNEWS - The Chimney Sweep's Newsmagazine, an independent magazine for chimney service professionals. 3737 Pine Grove Road, Klamath Falls, OR 97603; 541-882-5196. Jim Gillam, editor/publisher
THE CHIMNEY SWEEP
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Fax at (519) 941 - 0033
or contact us at
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