Attention All Children: Become Your Family's Deputy Fire Marshal By Learning These 9 Cool Rules!
1. Don't play with matches and lighters.
If you see matches or a lighter where children can reach them, don't touch them - go and tell a grown-up right away.
2. Ask your parents to install smoke detectors on each floor of your home.
Smoke detectors can save lives. Ask your parents to show you where each one is located.
3. Remind your parents to test your smoke detectors every month.
Make sure everyone in the family is familiar with its piercing sound. Teach them that this sound means danger, and they must get out of the house quickly.
4. When your parents change the time on your clocks for Daylight Savings, ask them to change your smoke alarm batteries.
A smoke detector can only save lives if it has working batteries. Give it fresh batteries and your smoke detector will stay awake and watch for fire while you're sleeping.
5. In case of fire, don't hide; go outside.
Fires are scary, but you should NEVER hide in closets or under beds when there is a fire. Firefighters may look scary, too, when they're wearing their protective gear, but please don't hide from them. They are wearing special suits and masks to protect them from flames and smoke so they can save you! Firefighters are your friend.
6. To escape during a fire, "Fall & Crawl."
It is easier to breathe in a fire if you stay low while getting out. Use the back of your hand to test if a door is hot before you open it. If it is hot, try to find another way out.
7. If your clothes are on fire, "Stop, Drop, & Roll" until the fire is out.
Shout for help, but don't run. Running makes the fire burn faster.
8. Have an escape plan and practice it with your family.
Find two ways out of every room in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke. Practice escaping by both routes to be sure that windows are not stuck and screens can be taken out quickly.
Choose a meeting place outside so you will know that everyone has gotten out safely. NEVER go back into a burning building for any reason. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters. They have the clothing and equipment to safely rescue people.
9. Know your local emergency number.
Put stickers and magnets with emergency numbers on your refrigerator and every telephone in the house. If there is a fire at your house, choose one family member to leave your meeting place and call the fire department from your neighbor's phone.