FOR KIDS

When it comes to your kids' safety, you don't want to take any chances! Following these simple steps will make a significant difference in saving your family from the dangers of fire in your home.

• Make sure your house has the best quality smoke detectors and heat detectors that you can afford. And remember to test them monthly.
• Keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen, garage, car and boat. Parents, it's also a good idea to keep one near your bed.
• Also, keep a flashlight by your bed to help you get out at night. Make sure it works and the batteries are good (by testing it periodically).
• Teach your kids that if there is a fire, to get out of the house. And if their clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll! Roll over to put the flames out and cover your face with your hands. (Make sure that they understand that the "stop/drop/roll" only applies if they are "on fire"! If they are not on fire, they need to get out of the house as quickly as possible.)
• Wear short sleeves when you help your parents cook and always cover pots with a lid.
• Learn the fire department's phone number and post it near the telephone.

• Get out of the house quickly and go to the designated meeting place. (The one you practice during your home fire drills.)
• If your door is closed, check for smoke. Put sheets, blankets or clothes in the cracks to keep smoke out. Stand by the window. If there's no smoke, touch the doorknob to see if it is warm. If it is, stay there and block the cracks. Stand by the window. If the knob is cool and you can't see any smoke, open the door slowly.
• If there is a lot of heat and smoke, crawl out of the house (staying below the smoke) so you don't breath in the smoke and poisonous gases.