National SAFE KIDS Campaign Offers Fire Safety Tips

For Fire Prevention Week October 5-11, 1997

Source

National SAFE KIDS Campaign
PR NEWSWIRE

Forums

Related Articles

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 1997 -- For American children ages 14 and under, fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional injury- related death. Each year, nearly 1,000 children ages 14 and under die in home fires. More disturbing is the fact that the majority die in homes without smoke detectors. Unfortunately, many parents and caregivers may unknowingly put their family's lives in serious danger.

"Children, especially those ages 5 and under, are at greatest risk from home fire-related death and injury," says Heather Paul, Ph.D., executive director of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. "Families must practice fire safety precautions at home to help prevent fires and, most importantly, to ensure a quick and safe escape if a fire should strike."

Although residential fires occur nationwide, the South, followed by the Northeast, has the highest fire incident, death and injury rates in the country. The lowest rates are found in the West.

Knowing how to prevent home fires and teaching children what to do in the event of a fire can save your child's life. The National SAFE KIDS Campaign offers parents and caregivers the following safety precautions:

• Install smoke detectors in your home on every level and in every sleeping area. Test them once a month, replace the batteries at least once a year and replace the detectors every ten years.

• Plan and practice two escape routes out of each room in your home. Designate an outside meeting place.

• Keep matches, lighters and other heat sources out of children's reach. Playing with matches and lighters is the leading cause of fire deaths and injuries for children ages 5 and under.

• Teach children to crawl low under smoke. Two-thirds of all childhood fire-related deaths are from smoke inhalation, caused by the toxic gases produced as fires develop and spread.

• Teach children to "stop, drop and roll" upon leaving the burning house or building if their clothes have caught on fire.

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is the first and only national organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury -- the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. More than 200 State and Local SAFE KIDS Coalitions in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico comprise the Campaign. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., is chairman of the Campaign, and Vice President Al Gore and Tipper Gore are honorary chairs.

CONTACT: Kirsten Kelly of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, 202-662-0600