Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Fire Safety for Families

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: April 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

• Why is fire safety important?
• What can we do to prevent fires in our home?
• What do we need in case of a fire?
• How do we prepare our family?
• What should we do if there is a fire?
• 10 Tips for Kids

Why is fire safety important?

• House fires can be very dangerous.
• Fire is the number one cause of death at home for children age 5 or younger.
• Thousands of children lose their lives in house fires each year.
• Every family member must know how to escape the house.

What can we do to prevent fires in our home?
Fire prevention is a very important step in fire safety. Check your house for fire hazards and follow these safety tips:

Cords and Appliances

• Don't plug too many cords into one socket. Make sure children understand this when using video games, toys, or hair dryers and curling irons.
• Don't run cords under rugs.
• Make sure night-lights and lamps don't touch fabrics, such as drapes or bed spreads.
• Avoid using electrical or portable heaters. If you must use one, keep it away from bedspreads, drapes, etc.
• Throw out appliances that overheat, smoke, spark, or smell unusual. Or, keep them out of reach of children and do not use them until they are repaired.

Cooking

• Don't let children use the stove or other kitchen tools without supervision.
• Don't leave food cooking while you are not in the kitchen.

Fireplace

• Keep the fireplace clean. Use a screen.
• Have the chimney cleaned once a year.
• Only burn wood in the fireplace. Don't burn paper.
• Always put out the fire in the fireplace before going to bed or leaving the house. The ashes should be cold enough for you to put your hand in them.

Small Flames

• Supervise your children if they are doing art or science projects that involve flames or electrical tools.
• Don't leave lit cigarettes around the house. Completely put them out before walking away.
• Don't smoke in bed.
• Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children. Children can easily find them in purses, drawers, etc.
• Keep candles out of children's reach. Put them in places where they can't be bumped off from below.

Nighttime Safety

• Most fires happen at night.
• Children should wear pajamas that are flame-resistant. Also consider the material of Halloween costumes.
• Sleep with bedroom doors closed to hold back smoke.
• Rooms without windows should not be used as bedrooms.

What do we need in case of a fire?
In case of fire, your family needs a few basic items to keep safe. Every home should have:

Smoke Detectors

• Smoke detectors will sound an alarm to give you a warning that there is a fire in the house.
• They give your family more time to escape safely.
• There should be a smoke detector in every bedroom, on every floor, and even in the basement.
• Always put smoke detectors on the ceilings (or on the wall, 6-12 inches below the ceiling).
• Avoid putting smoke detectors in kitchens and bathrooms. Steam and heat can set off the alarm.
• Put a smoke detector near the kitchen and bathroom.
• If a smoke detector goes off when there is not a fire (from cooking, smoking, etc.) do not take the battery out to shut if off. Open windows and doors or fan it with a towel.
• Test smoke detectors once a month. Use a reminder, such as every time you pay rent or the phone bill.
• Change batteries twice a year. A good time to remember is when you change clocks in the spring and fall.
• If a smoke detector beeps or chirps, it needs new batteries immediately.
• Buy new detectors to replace old ones every ten years. Put the date on the inside of the detector as a reminder.

Fire Extinguishers

• A fire extinguisher graded "A, B, and C" provides the best protection against all types of fires.
• There should be a fire extinguisher on every floor.
• Put one in the kitchen, basement, and the garage/workshop.
• Keep them out of children's reach.
• Never let children use it.
• Adults should learn how to use it. If you don't know how to use it, don't try putting out a fire with it. Instead, leave the house immediately and call 911.

Escape Ladders

• If your house has more than one level, or if you live above ground floor in an apartment building, escape ladders are important.
• There should be an escape ladder in every upper-level bedroom.
• Make sure the ladder is the right length. It may not be long enough if you are on a high floor.
• The ladder should be made out of fireproof material. Rope will burn. Aluminum will not. Look for an approval sticker when you buy one.
• Make sure the ladder is strong enough for every member of the family to use.

How do we prepare our family?
In case of fire, your family should have a fire escape plan. Practice the plan.

• Every member of the family should be a part of the plan. Very young children can practice simple parts.
• Walk through every room of the house with the family. How could you get out of this room? Talk about doors, windows, decks, and even big trees.
• Tell children that they must never hide from a fire (in closets, under the bed, etc.) They must get out of the house.
• If you live in an apartment building, teach children how to use exit signs. Teach them that they must only use fire exits during a fire.
• Teach children that they should not use elevators during a fire.
• Choose a safe spot for your family to meet after escaping the house. A tree, mailbox, or street light a couple houses down the street may work. Do not leave the spot and never go back in the house.
• Adults should discuss how toddlers and infants could be rescued in case of fire. Do not involve other children in the plan.
• Have several different fire drills with your family. Turn the fire alarm on with your finger so your children learn how it sounds.
• Each drill, family members should start from a different room and think about how to escape. What if that route is blocked with fire or smoke? What other way out is there?
• Never jump from windows during a drill.
• Practice meeting at the family spot.
• Have a plan for calling 911. Go to a trusted neighbor to use the phone.

What should we do if there is a fire?
Teach your kids what to do in case of fire. Practice with them.

• In a fire, stay low to the ground.
• Children should be taught that smoke is dangerous. Practice crawling to avoid smoke. (Smoke rises.) Younger children can pretend to walk like a cat or dog.
• Check doors before opening them.
• Look under the door and at the edges. If your child sees smoke, she should not open the door. Instead, teach her to go to a window.
• If there is no smoke, have her lightly touch the doorknob. If it is warm, leave the door closed and go the window. If it is cool, carefully open the door.
• If her clothes should catch on fire, teach her to stop, drop, and roll. Never run.
• If your clothes are on fire, stop.
• Drop to the floor.
• Roll around until the flames are gone.
• Leave the house immediately. Never waste time to collect pets, toys, photos, or other items.
• Do not try to put the fire out. Get out of the house.
• Do not call 911. Get out of the house, then call.
• Do not take time to get dressed. Get out fast.
• Never go back into a burning house.

10 Tips for Kids

1. Never play with matches or fire.
2. If you hear the fire alarm, get out of the house.
3. Never try to put the fire out. Get out of the house.
4. Do not take your toys or pets with you.
5. Feel the door before you open it. If it is hot or if you see smoke, go to a window.
6. Crawl on the floor if the air is smoky.
7. If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop, and roll.
8. Once you are out of the house, go to the family meeting spot.
9. Never go back inside the house.
10. Have somebody call 911.

Quick Answers

• House fires can be very dangerous. Thousands of children lose their lives in house fires each year.
• Check your house for fire hazards and teach children fire safety tips.
• Every house or apartment should have a fire extinguisher (on each floor) and smoke detectors (in every bedroom). Escape ladders may be needed for upper-level bedrooms.
• Your family should have a fire escape plan. Practice the plan.
• Teach children what to do in case of fire. Teach them how to test doors for heat and how to stop, drop, and roll.

References

• Dowshen S. Fire Safety. KidsHealth. 1998 June (cited 2002 March 14). URL: http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=150&article_set=21666
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health. E.D.I.T.H.: Exit Drills in the Home. Virtual Children's Hospital. (cited 2002 March 14). URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Safety/ExitDrill.html
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Smoke Detectors. Virtual Children's Hospital. (cited 2002 March 14). URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Safety/SmokeDetectors

See related Patient Topics Fire Safety, Preventing Disease and Staying Healthy, Safety or Wellness and Lifestyle.

See related Provider Topics Preventing Disease and Staying Healthy, Safety or Wellness and Lifestyle.

All contents copyright © 1992-2004 the Author(s) and The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

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