Don't Let Fire Strike Your Family

Eliminate potential fire hazards

• Keep matches, lighters and other heat sources out of children's reach.
• Remove anything flammable that is close to a fireplace, heater or radiator.
• Avoid plugging several appliance cords into the same electrical outlet.
• Replace old or unraveled appliance cords. Never run cords under a rug.
• Store all flammable liquids, such as gasoline, outside your home.

Plan ahead

• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and in every sleeping area.
• Test smoke detectors monthly and replace their batteries twice a year. Many families do this each spring and fall when they set their clock for the time change.
• Plan and practice two escape routes out of each room and out of the house.
• Designate an outside meeting place so all family members can be accounted for quickly.

Teach children fire safety

• Let them hear what the smoke detector alarm sounds like.
• Make sure they know to crawl low under smoke and cover their mouths and noses.
• Remind them to touch doors before opening them. If the door is hot, use another exit.
• Explain why they should never go back into a burning building.
• Have them practice "stop, drop and roll" in case.

Reprinted with the permission of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.