Fire safety habits go with you everywhere. At home you would never leave matches or a lighter within the reach of children, but that’s just where they may be at the home of a smoker or in a motel room. Look for and remove fire hazards when you enter a room. You can do grandparents a favor when you visit by making sure their smoke detectors are in working order.  If your family is spending the night away from home, keep children under 5 near you so that in case of a fire, you can take them to safety. With older children, go over fire escape plans from sleeping rooms and agree on a place outside to meet.  Never allow your child to sleep in a room without two exits.  Never get too busy visiting with friends or relatives to check on children at least once every 30 minutes. Fire safety habits go with you everywhere. No exceptions! No excuses! No regrets!

Useful Info: Fire Safety and Your Child with Special Needs

If you have a child with special needs, talk to your doctor, therapist and/or local fire department about your home fire escape plan and how to get your child to safety quickly. To learn about products that can assist you in fire safety planning for your child with special needs, contact Riley Hospital’s Community Education Department at 317-274-2964.

The Size of the Problem Nationwide

• U.S. fire departments respond to one home fire every 70 seconds.
• Each year, almost 50,000 children ages 14 and younger are injured in home fires. More than half of these children are 4 years or younger.
• Home fires caused by children are the leading cause of fire-related death and injury among children ages 9 and under.
• Home fires started by children are most likely to start in the bedroom or living room and areas where children are left alone to play.
• Nearly 80 percent of the home fires started by children are caused by children using matches or lighters to “play with fire.”
• A working smoke alarm doubles the chance of surviving a fire.
• Fire-related deaths are three times more likely from smoke inhalation or toxic gases than from heat injury.
• In a typical home fire, you have only two minutes to escape from the house. The need for speed makes an escape plan necessary.

Source: National SAFE KIDS Campaign

Safety Habits: Protect Your Child from Home Fires
Install smoke alarms outside all sleeping areas and on all levels of your home.

Prevent home fires caused by children by removing fire hazards and setting house rules for fire safety.

Younger Children:

• Remove hazards: Store matches, lighters and flammable liquids out of reach, preferably in a locked area.
• Fire safety rule: If you find a lighter or match, do not touch.  Tell an adult immediately.
• Fire safety rule: Never play with fire.

Older Children:

• Fire safety rule: No smoking. No incense burning or lighted candles allowed in the bedroom or in any room unless an adult is present.

Make and practice a home fire escape plan.

• When the alarm sounds, family members should leave home immediately.
• Identify and practice two escape paths from each room.  Stress the need for speed in leaving and never returning to a burning building.
• Agree on a spot outside where the family will meet.
• Practice the escape plan at least twice a year. It is wise to have one nighttime practice drill since nighttime fires are common.

Younger Children:

• Practice a fire escape plan using your smoke alarm to signal the drill. In addition, discuss common fears.
• Make sure young children understand not to be afraid of or to hide from the firefighter.  Show them pictures of firefighters dressed in firefighting gear or take them on a tour of your local fire station. Teach young children not to hide in closets or under beds.

Older Children:

• Practice a fire escape plan using your smoke alarm to signal the drill. In addition, review the following potential problems:
  -If clothing catches on fire, do not run. Stop, drop and roll.
  -If smoke alarm sounds, leave the house immediately. Test doors before opening them by kneeling at the door, reaching up as high as possible and touching the door, the knob and the space between the door and the frame with the back of your hand. If the door is warm, use another escape route. If the door is cool,
  open it slowly. Be prepared to slam the door shut if smoke or heat rushes in.
  -If you must escape through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees to the exit. Keep your head low to the floor.
  -If you cannot escape safely, stuff the crack under the door with clothes or a towel to keep smoke out. Go to the window to call for help.