FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

10 Steps to Learning Fire Prevention

1. Try to imagine problems that may arise in common fire hazardous areas in the house or due to the specific needs of individuals. Then assign family members to help infants and physically challenged people out of the house.

2. After you've formulated a fire-escape plan draw a map of escape routes and post copies of the map on conspicuous part of the house such as clip it on the frig or place it next to the phone and also note down the emergency numbers. Show them to babysitters and houseguests.

3. Always keep fire extinguishers in your house and teach children to use them when necessary.

4. Sleep with bedroom doors closed. Even a hollow-core door delays the spread of fire for a short time. If you must exit the house in the event of a fire, close doors behind you.

5. Demonstrate to children how to crawl low to stay under the smoke layer. Use a damp towel to cover their nose and mouth only if one is immediately available. Instruct them how to pull their shirt over their nose and mouth if necessary.

6. Have fire escape ladders available in all occupied upper-level rooms Remind children that escape ladders are for safety and not for play.

7. Teach children to stop, drop, and roll. Immediately after leaving a burning building, anyone whose clothes are on fire should stop, drop to the ground, and roll over and over until all flames are extinguished.

8. Make certain children understand that they can't re-enter the house to retrieve pets or their favourite items. If pets are inside, notify the fire fighters.

9. Select an outdoor meeting place where everyone will gather once they have escaped a fire. When two people have reached this place, one should leave to call for help and the other should stay to account for the rest of the family.

10. Arrange a visit to the fire station so your children can see fire fighters in full gear. Teach children that fire fighters' job is to save children.