The U.S. Fire Administration for Kids
Each year in the United States an estimated 2,800 children age 14 or younger are injured and 850 killed in residential fires. Of these children, over 40 percent are under the age of five, 70 percent are under the age of 10. Because the majority of fire casualties occur in children under the age of 10, the U.S. Fire Administration for Kids is targeted towards that age group. And we want to help them in their goal of preventing injuries and death to children due to fire.
ChurchFun.com wants to help by presenting their great information here for our readers.
The goals of U.S. Fire Administration Kids are to:
- Increase the level of individual concern and awareness of children’s vulnerability to fire.
- Educate and inform the U.S. population about how personal responsibility and action is key to preventing fires and fire-related casualties.
- Provide a timely, coordinated and easy-to-access source of information about how individuals can prevent fires and fire-related casualties.
This post will give you short lessons about fire escape planning, smoke alarms and general home fire safety. It is recommended that an adult guide children through the lessons.
Each lesson is followed by a brief five-question quiz to test children’s knowledge of the subject after they have worked through the lesson.
Finally, through a 10-question quiz, children will have the opportunity to earn a Jr. Fire Marshal certificate signed by the Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration.
FIRES ARE SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS
They are loud and hot, and the smoke makes it very dark. Fires hurt and destroy things in your home. You and your family can help make your home safer from fire.
Where in your home do possible fire problems exist? What can you do to make sure that you and your family are less likely to be harmed by fire?
THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE
Never put anything over a lamp, like clothes or a blanket, not even when playing.
Don’t touch radiators or heaters. Ask an adult to turn a heater on or off for you.
BE CAREFUL WITH OPEN FLAME
Don’t stand too close to the fireplace or a wood stove. You could get burned or your clothes could catch fire.
Never touch matches, lighters
, or candles. If you see matches or lighters in a room, tell an adult right away.
IN THE KITCHEN
Don’t cook alone or without asking an adult.
Remind your parents to turn pot handles toward the center of the stove. They should never hang over the edge where someone could bump into them and knock them off the stove.
AROUND ELECTRICITY
Don’t play with electrical cords.
Never stick anything into an electrical socket.
Turn off lights, stereos, TVs and other electrical equipment when you are finished using them.
Not only does this help with fire safety, it also saves energy!
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOME FIRE SAFETY!
Learning about home fire safety is fun! Now let’s test your home fire safety knowledge!
SMOKE ALARMS CAN HELP
Would you know if your home was on fire? What would happen if you were sleeping? You may not see fire, smell smoke or wake up in time to get out safely. Smoke alarms can help.
WHAT IS A SMOKE ALARM?
Smoke alarms are tools that can tell if there is smoke in the air. They work even if you can’t smell smoke. A smoke alarm looks like a small dish or dinner plate on the ceiling of your home!
A smoke alarm makes a very loud beeping noise to warn you that a fire has started. When you hear the loud noise, follow your home escape plan and get out fast.
YOU CAN HELP!
Kids can help make their homes safer from fire by helping grown-ups remember to:
Put smoke alarms in your home, especially near bedrooms.
Test smoke alarms monthly to make sure they are working, and so you’ll know what it sounds like when it goes off.
Replace old batteries with brand new ones at least once a year.
Keep smoke alarms clean from dust. You can clean away the dust by running the vacuum cleaner attachment over and around them.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS!
Learning about smoke alarms is fun! Now let’s test your smoke alarm knowledge!
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THERE WAS A FIRE IN YOUR HOME?
It’s important to get out fast! Never hide or take time to gather up your belongings.
FIRES ARE SCARY AND CONFUSING
They can be loud, burn very fast, and their smoke can make a room or home very dark. It helps to have a plan so you’ll know what to do to get out of your home!
Good escape plans help you get out of your home quickly in case of a fire. The best plans have two ways to get out of each room. If one way is blocked by the fire, you can get out the other way. When escaping, stay low to the floor. Smoke rises during a fire. The safest air is down low.
HELP YOUR FAMILY MAKE AN ESCAPE PLAN
- Try to find two ways out from every room in your home. The first way out should be a door. Every way needs to be planned and practiced with grown-ups.
- Before opening any door in a fire, feel the door first at the bottom and then work your hand up the door to see if it is hot. A hot door means there may be fire on the other side. Try to get out another way.
- Stay low to the floor when escaping a fire.
- If you have security bars in your home, make sure you know how to open them in case you need to escape from a fire.
- Pick a safe and easy-to-remember place outside the home to meet your family after you get out.
- After you get out, call 9-1-1 or the fire department.
- Stay outside no matter what. Don’t go back for anything!
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ESCAPING FROM A FIRE!
Learning about escaping from fire is fun! Now let’s test your home fire safety knowledge!
