WHAT CAUSES THE FIRES THAT KILL KIDS?

• The number one cause of fires that kill and injure young children is children playing with matches and lighters.
• The second leading cause is heating sources such as portable heaters, fireplaces and radiators.
• Third is arson.

WHY DO KIDS DIE IN FIRES?

Fire is terrifying -- especially to children.  Instead of calling a parent or leaving the house, frightened children often hide under beds or in closets thinking they will be safe from the fire.

The sound of a smoke detector, fire alarm or fire engine can scare children.  So can a fire fighter appearing through black smoke in full firefighting gear.

HOW TO FIREPROOF YOUR HOME

Fires are dangerous, spread quickly and can happen at any time.  Check your home for potential fire hazards before a fire occurs.  Here are some of the biggest dangers: 

• Check your smoke detectors for dead or missing batteries.
• NEVER leave lighters or matches in the reach of children.
• Make sure furniture, clothes, piles of newspapers or magazines are not left too close to a fireplace, heater or radiator.
• Don’t place electrical cords under rugs.
• Don’t use appliances with cords that are old or unraveled.
• NEVER store gas or other flammable liquids inside the home.
• Make sure doors and windows aren’t blocked by furniture or heavy objects.

• Walk through your home, identify and remove all of the potential fire hazards.
• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside each bedroom area.  THE CHANCES OF DYING IN A FIRE ARE CUT IN HALF BY THE PRESENCE OF A WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR!  Tragically, 90 percent of childhood fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke detectors.
• Install a smoke detector in your child’s room.
• Test your smoke detector once a month and change the batteries twice a year.
• Do not disconnect your smoke detectors or remove the batteries for any reason.  If your smoke detector continually goes off, move it to a better location -- referably not in the bathroom or kitchen.
  
• PLAN and PRACTICE two escape routes out of your house.  Once you hear your smoke detector, it is too late to plan your escape.  It is important to have an alternate escape plan in case fire blocks your original route.
• Designate an outside meeting place.  It may be a tree, a street light or a neighbor's house.  Make sure that all family members know the meeting place and go there immediately after leaving the house.
  

• Keep low and crawl to the nearest exit.
• Feel the door to be sure it is not hot - if it is hot, DO NOT use it for escape.  Escape through a window or other exit after making sure to check this exit for heat as well.
• Brace yourself against the door and open it very slowly.
• Cover your nose and mouth to protect your lungs from dangerous fumes.  A moist cloth is best but grab whatever is closest -- if nothing is available, use your hand.
• Get below the smoke and leave the house quickly.
• NEVER re-enter a burning building.
• Call for help from an outside location.

The thought of a house fire is a scary one for parents, but with these tips you can help to make your home a safer place for your child to live. Central County Fire & Rescue encourages parents to talk with their children about what to do in a fire. Prevention is the easiest and safest way to protect your family.