Fire Safety & You

Every Hour approximately 16 children are injured from fires or burns. 85% of all fire-related deaths are due to home fires, which spread rapidly and can leave families as little as 2 minutes to escape once an alarm sounds.

Safe Kids Worldwide

It has been six months since the Thomas Fire raged through Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The Thomas Fire is now the largest wildfire of record in California modern history. Information from Cal Fire shows that 281,893 acres were burned, 1,063 structures destroyed, and another 280 damaged. More than 100,000 Californians were directly affected through mandatory or voluntary evacuations, with no guarantee that their homes would be standing upon their return. Although it is still not known what caused the Thomas Fire, it’s destructive power reminded all us of the need to practice fire safety in our homes.

According to the National Fire Protection Association there were 352,000 home fires in 2016, which took the lives of 2,735 people and injured another 10,750. Most of those fires could have been easily avoided. Combined with ongoing dry conditions and wildfire season upon us, we thought we would provide some helpful fire safety tips from Safe Kids Worldwide, which can help keep you and your kids avoid a fire in your own home.

Check Your Smoke Alarms

• Working smoke alarms reduce the chances of dying by nearly 50%. They are a critical first step for staying safe. Install them in every level of your home, outside every sleeping area, and in each bedroom.
• Use Daylight Savings Time as a reminder to check your smoke alarms.

Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

• Create and practice a fire escape plan with two ways out of your house in case of a fire. Get a stopwatch and time how fast your family can escape. Your kids will love it!
• Designate one person to get infants and small children out safely as part of your plan.
• Smoke is toxic. Teach children to “get low and go” if there is smoke when they are leaving the home.
• Practice feeling the door, doorknob, and cracks around the door with the back of the hand to see if they are too hot.
• Choose a place to meet outside that is a safe distance away from your home.

In an Emergency, Leave Home Immediately

• In the event of a fire, grab your family and leave the house immediately. Once you are out, stay out.
• Wait to call 911 until after you are out of the home.

If You Live In an Apartment, Pull the Alarm

• Pull the alarm if you do not hear it as you leave the floor.
• Know all of your building’s fire escape exits and use the stairs to get out. Don’t use the elevator.

In You’re Stuck Inside, Cover the Areas Where Smoke Might Come In

• If you cannot safely escape your home or apartment, keep smoke out of the room by covering vents and cracks around the door, and call 911 as quickly as possible.
• Then signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or flashlight.

Keep Flammable Materials in Safe Areas

• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, and always closely supervise children and pets when the heater is on. Make sure to turn space heaters off when you leave the room.
• If you use gasoline-powered devices, store gasoline in a locked location where children cannot access it. Keep only small quantities in an approved container that has child safety features.

Don’t Over Plug

• Avoid plugging several appliance cords into the same electrical socket to avoid possible fires.

Stay Focused Around the Kitchen

• Limit distractions when cooking and don’t leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended.
• Keep anything that can catch fire, such as dishtowels or wooden spoons, away from your stovetop.
• Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of an emergency, and make sure you know how it works.

Install Barriers Such as Safety Gates Around Fireplaces, Ovens, and Furnaces

• Make sure your fireplace is protected by a sturdy screen. Remember that glass screens can take a long time to cool down.
• If you are using a fireplace or wood stove, make sure you burn only seasoned hardwood such as oak, ash, or maple.
• Use a safety gate around your fireplace or wood stove to keep children safe.

Blow Out Candles and Store Matches Out of Reach

• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and always blow them off when you leave the room, or when you go to sleep.
• Make a habit of placing matches, gasoline, and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys.
• Teach children to never play with matches, lighters, or fireworks.

Fire safety is a complex issue. By practicing these safety tips you can increase the chances of avoiding a home fire, or increase the chances that you and your family reach safety in the event that there is one.