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It
is very important to prepare for both building fires and wild fires. Fires
in buildings are very dangerous. Every year, building fires kill about
5,000 people in this country.
One of the most important things to remember is that your house should
have a working smoke detector. Look around your house to see if you have a
smoke detector on every floor in the house. Get help from a parent or
adult to check if your smoke detectors are working. Also check to see if
your family has a working fire extinguisher.
Your family should have a fire plan of how to escape from your house if it
is on fire. If you are caught in a fire, remember: Stay low to the ground
where the smoke is not so heavy. NEVER hide during a fire. Always get out.
And once you are out, stay out. DO NOT go back for a toy. Tell an adult if
there is a person left behind in the burning house.
Here are fire safety
tips that can help keep you and your family safe if things get hot!
1.
If you
smell smoke, never open a door until you have checked it for heat with the
back of your hand.
2.
If you
wake up and smell smoke, get on the floor and crawl to the nearest fire
exit or window since smoke floats up in the air.
3.
Call
911 in case of emergency, and make sure you know the correct address
of the emergency when you do.
4.
If your
clothes catch on fire, Don't Panic! Instead, Stop, Drop and
Roll, Covering Your Face.
5.
Never
place flammable items such as, wood, chemicals or oily and dirty rags near
heat sources.
6.
If you
find matches or a lighter, give them to your parents, a teacher or a
grownup you know right away!
7.
Remind
your parents that every home should have a fire extinguisher and that
everyone should know how to use it.
8.
Make sure
there are not too many plugs in an electrical outlet. Ask a grownup for
help on fixing this.
Plan a visit to
your local Fire Station with your family, classroom or a club. They'll
have lots of information on fire safety and lots of cool things to see and
do! |
