SAFE KIDS OF CENTRAL MISSOURI

FIRE SAFETY PAGE
REMEMBER - TO CHECK THE BATTERIES IN YOUR SMOKE DETECTOR

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FIRE SAFE HOUSE INFORMATION

FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION & TIPS

SAFE KIDS SAFETY PAGES

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Fire Safe House

The FIRE SAFE HOUSE teaches children about preventing fires, emergency exit procedures, how to make "911" calls and other fire safety practices. It is especially designed to teach children how to react to fire, how to avoid fire hazards and how to handle other emergencies.

The Fire Safety Committee reports that 8,729 children have toured the FIRE SAFE HOUSE as of December 31, 1998.

The FIRE SAFE HOUSE is a 28-foot mobile classroom that features child-sized rooms and real-life hazards created by fire. The house has two levels containing miniature rooms like those found in real homes. Children will learn about fire safety in a make-believe kitchen, then will crawl into a tiny bedroom, where they will be taught about fire hazards near the bed, such as cigarettes. A non-toxic smoke made of vanilla is then pumped into the small room. One of the exit doors contains a heat pad, and children will learn to feel the doors for heat. They will then exit the room through the door that isn't hot, and climb down a ladder on the outside of the safety house.

The SAFE KIDS of Central Missouri introduced the FIRE SAFE HOUSE to the Jefferson City/Cole County area in 1994 and was built from contributions from many local groups and individuals. Several regional fire departments were instrumental in obtaining the FIRE SAFE HOUSE. They now maintain the FIRE SAFE HOUSE, and take it to local schools and safety events. These demonstrations give children the opportunity to visit the house and to learn about fire safety.

The regional fire departments include: Cole County Fire Protection District, Eugene Fire Department, Jefferson City Fire Department, Holts Summit Fire Protection District, Regional West Fire Protection District, Russellville / Lohman Fire Department, St. Thomas Fire Department, and the Toas / Wardsville Fire Department.

FIRE RELATED STATISTICS

In 1996, Missouri ranked 11^th in total fire deaths with 74 people dying.

A fire departments responds to a fire every 16 seconds in the United States.

In 1996, there were 4,990 fire deaths in the United States and 25,500 fire related injuries.

In 1996, 94 firefighters died in the line of duty and 87,150 suffered injuries while performing their duties.

Preschool children are twice as likely to die in a fire and people under 19 account for 25% of annual fire deaths.

About 25% of fires that kill young children are started by children playing with fire.

RESIDENTIAL FIRE INJURY

Residential fires account for the majority of all fires.

80% OF ALL FIRES OCCUR IN THE HOME.

A breakdown of where the fires occur are as follows:

29%

Kitchen

13%

Bedroom

Living Room

Laundry Area

38%

Other Areas

Smoke detectors are extremely effective at preventing fire-related death and injury. The chances of dying in a residential fire are cut in half when a working smoke detector is present. A residential sprinkler system, escape plans and fire extinguishers are also effective at preventing and mitigating this risk.

FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION

Fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under.

Nearly 1,000 children ages 14 and under die in residential fires every year.

Nearly 47,000 children ages 14 and under are injured in residential fires.

Playing with fire is the leading cause of fire-related death among children ages 5 and under.

Children in homes without smoke detectors are at greater risk from fires and fire-related death an injury.

Children from low-income families are at greater risk for fire-related death and injury.

Children living in rural areas have a dramatically higher risk of dying in a residential fire.

Every 16 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States.

FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

Keep matches, gasoline, lighters and all other flammable materials locked away and out of the reach of children.

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 (unless the batteries are designed for longer life) and replace the detectors every ten years.

For the best protection against different types of fires, consider installing both ionization detectors, better at sensing flaming fires, and photoelectric detectors, better at sensing slow, smoky fires.

Plan and practice several fire escape routes from the home and identify an outside meeting place. Children may become frightened and confused in a fire and hide rather than escape to safety.

SAFE KIDS OF CENTRAL MISSOUI PAGE LINKS