By Alex Baran,
Project Weight Loss Staff Writer
September 01, 2009 There are annual fires that happen all over the world in parks and cities because of the heat or other causes. Talking about Greece, California, Pendleton, or Oak Glen III, people need to know how to save their lives.
The risk gets bigger if there are children involved. They are taught what to do in case of a fire in schools, but what if the fire is at home? Here are a few tips any child should now.
Everybody should know the way out. In case of a fire you should get outside quickly and safely. If there is lots of smoke it will be difficult to find the exit if you don’t know where it is. So make sure your kid knows all the exits and how he can get to them from his room. A map in the house is always useful. Of course, some doors stay most of the time locked, so kids should know which ones are those and how to get to the stairwell in case of apartments.
If the fire starts when you are in a room and the smoke comes under the door you must not open the door; moreover, try to stop it by putting clothes or other things in the cracks around the door. If there’s no smoke but the door is hot or very warm you shouldn’t open it either. You can open the door if the doorknob feels cool and there’s no smoke; this is your chance to run to the exits but if you open the door and feel a burst of heat and smoke close it back fast and scream for help or call 911.
Where’s smoke, there’s a fire – in case of too much smoke, stay low and go to the exist. Because of the smoke you won’t be able to breathe easily, but if you stay low, you can make it because the smoke tends to rise. Crawling on your hands and knees is a good idea to go to the exit. Windows can be part of the exit route too. If there are high windows you should get out through them only if there’s help from a firefighter, policeman, or other adult.
Another tricky thing will be when you get out. Where are the others? Are they safe too? It is best to set a place where you meet with your family so you can be sure everybody got out. Even though there is important stuff in the house, you must save yourself first and the firefighters will do their best to save your things too. Don’t worry about your things, worry about yourself when a fire starts.
When they are afraid, children tend to hide under the bad or in the closet. Make sure they know not to do that in case of a fire. They should know firefighters and family will save them if they can’t get out from the house.
Talking with your family about this may not be enough. It is best to have a fire drill at home like they do at school. The batteries from the smoke alarms must be changed periodically too.
There are bad scenarios when clothes catch fire. In this case stop, drop, and roll. I mean stop, drop to the ground, and roll, so you put out the flames.
Children should be taught never to play with lighters, matches, candles, and other fire sources.
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Project Weight Loss. All rights reserved.
