Fire Safety

Even small children who are well-coached can understand what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Thousands of children, fire-drill trained by their teachers, escape unharmed from burning school buildings every year. Little brothers and sisters need the same kind of training at home. In fact, the whole family should have an escape plan and practice leaving the house quickly and safely - just in case.

Here are some of the most important fire facts children should learn:

• One little match can burn down a house and kill you.
• Smoke can kill you, so you must get away from it fast.
• Fire can spread through the house in just minutes.
• If a door is hot when you touch it, don't open it - smoke or fire can rush in.
• Go out a window instead, you must get to fresh air quickly.
• Since smoke rises, upstairs bedrooms are one of the worst places to be in case of fire.
• The air close to the floor is safest for you to breathe.
• When a house is on fire, THINGS aren't important anymore, just people!

What if your clothes catch fire?

If your clothes catch fire, roll on the floor, or roll on the ground, or roll up in a blanket, rug comfortor anything large enough to choak out the flames. Don't panic and never run this will fan the flames!

When you work out your family fire escape plan, try to have at least two alternate routes out of the house. If you live in the country, have survival equipment stashed in your car, particularly in cold weather - flashlights, sweaters, sleeping bags, blankets - plus an extra ignition key hidden in the glove compartment or other safe place. Make sure, too, that your smoke alarms (preferably one in each bedroom, as well as in the main part of the house) and fire extinguishers are in working order.

Trigger your fire drill with a referee's whistle, or by setting off one of your smoke alarms. Some families hang a referee's whistle over the inside doorknob in every bedroom, to be used ONLY in case of a fire emergency or fire drill. Once everyone is safely out of the house, you should all meet at the same place.

• By the car.
• Under a big tree in the yard.
• Whatever spot was agreed upon ahead of time.

You want to avoid having anyone risk his or her life by going back into the house for someone who is already safe.

After you hold several daytime drills, have a surprise drill at night, when most fires happen. Practice getting out fast. Race against the clock! Fire and smoke can engulf a house with terrifying speed. Fumes from burning synthetic wall/floor coverings and other modern home furnishings are particularly lethal. Never risk going back inside. Plan to call the fire department from a neighbor's house, once everyone is safely out.

Some of the major causes of house fires is using a stove or cooking appliance carelessly or improperly. Also improperly installed and maintained heating systems, faulty wiring, careless smoking, and children playing with matches. Your chimney and woodburning stove or appliance is another deadly cause if not properly installed and maintained.

The good news is that professional chimney sweeps in North America make fire prevention and fire safety two of their top priorities. The skillful inspection, cleaning, repairing or relining of your chimney and a careful check of your stove hook-up could prevent a fire at your house this winter. Just make sure the sweep you hire is experienced, well-qualified and has a good local reputation.