Survey Reveals Most Children Do Not Practice Fire Safety at Home

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NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 3, 1997 -- A survey of children ages five through eight reveals that most have not practiced fire escape plans at home. Findings from the survey, conducted by Allstate Insurance Company, in eight cities have significant implications for fire safety and prevention education.

Interviews indicated that most children (84%) talked at school about what to do if a fire starts. The majority were also aware of the dangers of playing with fire, citing property damage and bodily harm as possible consequences.

However, responses to questions about fire safety and prevention at home are disturbing:

• 59% have not practiced a home fire escape plan with their families;
• 42% do not discuss fire safety at home with their families;
• 21% said that the first thing they would do if a fire broke out in their home would be to telephone for help rather than get out of the house;
• 34% did not know the best practice to follow if their house was filled with smoke.

"The Allstate research shows that younger children may be at serious risk if fire breaks out in their home. Although most are introduced to fire safety and prevention measures at school, there is a lack of home education and practice to reinforce the principles they learned," said Terre Tuzzolino, assistant vice president of Allstate Marketing, Safety and Prevention.

The Allstate findings are more critical given U.S. Fire Administration data, which shows that children under the age of five are at serious risk of being killed in a fire -- nearly double the average population.

Allstate's "Be Cool About Fire Safety" initiative, developed in conjunction with the For A Safer America Coalition, is a multi-faceted approach to increasing children's awareness of fire safety and prevention. The program provides important safety information on a range of topics including how to develop a home fire escape plan, dial emergency phone numbers, check smoke detectors and avoid smoke inhalation. Children enjoy a 15-minute video which features a mix of live action and animated characters including Seemore Smoke, Jose Hydrant and X-Tinguisher Man. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Little Richard is featured in the video.

The program emphasizes the nine "cool rules" of fire safety, including the preparation of an escape plan which should be practiced by the child and his/her family and fire prevention tips.

In addition, each child receives a "Be Cool About Fire Safety" coloring/activity book and a Deputy Fire Marshal Kit to take home as part of the program. The kit includes a Deputy Fire Marshal certificate that highlights the nine "cool rules" of fire safety, materials to develop a home fire escape plan with family members, a refrigerator magnet and phone sticker with spaces to fill in safety/emergency phone numbers.

The Allstate Corporation, the parent of Allstate Insurance Company, is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurance company, insuring one of every eight homes and automobiles in the country. The company provides insurance for more than 20 million customers and has approximately 15,000 full-time agents in the U.S. and Canada.

For A Safer America Coalition members include Allstate, American Association of School Administrators, General Federation of Women's Clubs, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Consumer League, National Parent Teacher Association, International Association of Fire Fighters and the National Volunteer Fire Council.

To receive a "Be Cool About Fire Safety" brochure, call your local Allstate agent or 1-888-ALLSFTY. The brochure is also available at Allstate's home page. Allstate's website address is http://www.allstate.com.

THE 9 "COOL RULES" ABOUT FIRE SAFETY

1. Prepare an escape plan and practice it with your family;
2. Don't play with matches and lighters;
3. In case of a fire, don't hide, go outside;
4. If your clothes are on fire, "Stop, Drop and Roll" until the fire is out;
5. To escape during a fire, "Fall and Crawl";
6. Have smoke detectors on every floor of your home;
7. Test your smoke detectors every month;
8. Change your smoke detector batteries when you change your clocks;
9. Know your local emergency number.

CONTACT: Allstate Media Relations, 847-402-5600