| There is no place like home. Your home should be | | | | no reason to go back to a burning house. |
| a safe place for you and your family. Practice fire | | | | |
| safety measures in your home, especially when | | | | Ways to Prevent Fires: |
| there are children around. Make children be aware | | | | 1. Flammable items should be stored properly and |
| about the danger and seriousness of a fire. . | | | | out of children’s reach. These items include |
| Following are some | | | | kerosene, household products and cleaning |
| safety tips for your home: | | | | materials, lighters, matches, candles, alcohol, paint |
| 1. Draw an escape route in your house and | | | | and candle. If you have gasoline, paint thinner and |
| discuss with everyone. Provide at least two exits | | | | highly flammable items, store them outside the |
| in each room. | | | | house. |
| 2. Practice blindfolding in this exit route at least | | | | 2. Practice safety measures in using your stove |
| every two to three months. The blindfold | | | | and other cooking appliances. Remove the knobs |
| represents difficulty in seeing when there is | | | | from the stove when they are not in use. Turn |
| smoke and if a fire happens at night. | | | | pot handles toward the back of the stove. |
| 3. Make windows easy to open in emergency | | | | 3. Keep electrical appliances out of the reach of |
| cases. Let everyone know that in case of fire ore | | | | children. Cover electrical outlets when they are |
| any emergency, it is okay to break them if they | | | | not in use. |
| would not budge. Show them what item to use | | | | 4. Clean and remove build-up of the lint filters in |
| when breaking windows. | | | | dryers and have them inspected regularly. Major |
| 4. Bedroom doors should be closed when sleeping. | | | | home fires are caused by a build-up of the dryer |
| A closed door will serve as a barrier from heat | | | | lint. |
| and smoke. Check the door for heat before you | | | | 5. Minimize artworks or papers in your walls. |
| open it. | | | | These materials could cause fires to burn much |
| 5. Smoke detectors batteries must be replaced | | | | faster. |
| annually. To make sure this is not forgotten, | | | | 6. Put home extinguishers on each floor of the |
| schedule the change every New Year. | | | | house. |
| 6. Teach your kids how to dial 911. Make sure | | | | Matches and lighters are the common cause of |
| they understand that 911 calls are dialled only in | | | | many home fires. Children are fascinated with fire |
| emergency cases. In case they use a cellphone to | | | | and they tend to hide to play with lighters or |
| call, tell them your address or post it somewhere | | | | matches. Bear in mind that bedrooms or closets |
| easy to see. | | | | are often their hiding to place to play with |
| 7. Keep your exit routes clear. Every night | | | | matches or lighters. |
| before you retire, clean sweep the area from | | | | Your home is a special place for your children. It is |
| obstructions that might make escape difficult. | | | | a place where they explore and learn. Make sure |
| 8. Agree on a place outside where you can meet | | | | to keep your home safe, practice fire safety at |
| for a head count. Let everybody understand that | | | | all times. |
| once you are out, you should stay out. There is | | | | |