TIME TO EMPHASIZE FIRE SAFETY

Since October is Fire Safety Month, this is a perfect time to think about what you can do to prevent a fire from breaking out in your center or home. Unfortunately children can set fires so here are tips to teach fire safety to your group.
* Supervise young children closely. Don’t leave them alone even for short periods of time.
• Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet.
• Have children tell you when they find matches and lighters.
• Develop a “center” fire escape plan. Practice it with your group and designate a meeting place outside.
• Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
• Teach children the nature of fire. It is FAST, HOT, DARK and DEADLY!
• Teach children not to hide from fire fighters, but to get out quickly and call for help from another location.
• Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the building and stay out in the case of fire.
• Demonstrate how to stop, drop to the ground and roll if their clothes catch fire.
• Install smoke alarms on every level in your center.
• Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm.
• Test the smoke alarm each month and replace the battery at least once a year.
• Replace the smoke alarm every ten years, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice an escape plan frequently with your group.
For More Information Contact: The United States Fire Administration Office of Fire Management Programs
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Or visit the USFA website: http://www.usfa.fema.gov
Visit the Kid’s Page: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/kids
Be Safe! Tania Associate Editor/ EverydayTLC