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Be Fire-Safe! Fire can be very dangerous. It moves quickly and can hurt you.
The thought of a fire in your home can be scary. By looking out for fire hazards
and knowing what to do in case of a fire, you can help keep your home and family
safe.
Be alert. Be aware of things that could start a fire.
Have grown-ups look for old and worn-out electrical cords and notice wall
sockets that look like they have too many plugs. Make sure an adult is always
present when something is cooking on the stove and watch for burning candles,
lamps and space heaters near things that can catch fire (like clothes and
bedding).
Never touch. Never play with matches, lighters, candles or electrical
cords. These are not toys and are very dangerous. Remind grown-ups to keep
matches and lighters in a safe place such as a locked cabinet. Never stick
things into a wall socket – the electricity can burn or shock you.
Ask an adult. If you think something is wrong, always tell an adult.
If you find a burning candle that has been forgotten, tell an adult right away.
Ask an adult to remove matches, lighters and old electrical cords, especially
ones near your bed. Make sure they fix any over-loaded wall sockets. Remind your
parents to be fire-safe – just like you!
Use smoke alarms. Smoke alarms save lives!
Your home should have smoke alarms on every level (even the basement). It's
especially important to have them outside of each sleeping area. Have a grown-up
test the batteries once a month to make sure they work. Batteries should be
replaced once a year, or when you hear the alarm "chirp"—that means that the
battery is low. If you sleep with the door closed, have grown-ups consider
having interconnected alarms installed. These alarms (installed by a qualified
electrician) are connected so that if one sounds, they all sound.
Plan and practice. If your family doesn’t have a home fire escape
plan, make one today; it's easy! Start by walking through your home and
identifying two ways out of every room (one way out might be the door; the other
could be a window). Then draw out your escape plan, so you can post it where
everyone in the family can see it. Pick an outside meeting place where everyone
can gather after they've escaped safely (a neighbor's house, a mailbox, or even
a tree will do). Make sure that you mark the spot you've picked on your escape
plan.
* Tips provided by the Sleep Products Safety Council
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