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New tips on fire safety



While most parents are well aware of the dangers to children, we know that when you’re busy caring for a family it’s easy to think that a serious accident won’t happen. But with holidays coming up and an increased likelehood of older children spending time at each other's houses or maybe even at home, it's time to make sure they know the risks.

Home is where the heart is, but for young children it can also be where the danger is. That’s why this Child Safety Week (22-28 June 2009), the Fire Kills campaign is keen to remind families how to stay safe.

Over 1,600 children were injured in house fires in 2006, many of them in the kitchen*. To combat this, the Fire Kills campaign is arming parents with the information to help keep them and their children safe in the home.

Top tips for a safer family home

• Set clear kitchen rules for young kids such as: never play with matches, never switch on the cooker, never put anything on top of the cooker and don’t touch any saucepans on the cooker.

• Make sure young children know the kitchen is not a play area – never leave younger children alone in the kitchen when you’re cooking and never let them play near the oven and hob.

• Get ‘key clever’ – encourage your children to check that keys are in the correct place. Keys for windows and doors should always be kept in an accessible place so you can get out quickly in the event of a fire.

• Nominate your child to be the ‘Escape champ’ – regularly role-play escape routes and give children the responsibility to keep escape routes clear.

• Discuss how to call 999 – make sure children know which number to call in an emergency. Also ensure that they know their address and that both are pinned up by the phone; explain the importance of only calling 999 in a real emergency.

• Keep candles, lighters and matches out of children’s reach. Never leave burning candles unattended.

• Fit and maintain a smoke alarm – you should have one on each level of your home and test it weekly. Smoke alarms should be positioned close to kitchens but not in kitchens.

• Don’t remove the batteries – if your smoke alarm keeps going off accidentally while you are cooking, don’t remove the batteries. Instead move the alarm or change it for one with a silencer button.

• In the event of a fire ‘Get out, Stay out and Call 999!’ – don’t delay for valuables, don’t investigate or try to tackle the fire. Use a mobile, a neighbour’s phone or a phone box to call 999. If someone needs to be rescued wait safely outside for the firefighters who have the equipment and training to do it. Never go back in.

Many local Fire and Rescue Services offer a Home Fire Risk Check service, where they will visit homes to offer advice on keeping safe from fire throughout the year. They may also be able to install smoke alarms free of charge.

For advice on fire safety, please go to www.direct.gov.uk/firekills or call your local Fire and Rescue Service (the number is in the phone book – do not dial 999) To find out more on Child Safety Week, please go to the CAPT website www.childsafetyweek.org.uk