Fire-Safe Kids (NAPSA)—Nearly every day a child under age five dies in a homefire, a tragedy that the U.S. Fire Administration says families often can avoid. Babies and toddlers are twice as likely to die in a homefire than the rest of the population. They rely on parents and caregivers to keep them safe by reducing the risk of fire and practicing a fire escape plan to help the entire family get out safely. The U.S. Fire Administration urges parents and caregivers to familiarize themselves with the following fire facts and safety tips, so they can Prepare, Practice and Prevent the Unthinkable. Preparing A Fire-Safe Home Matches, lighters and other heat sources are the leading causes of fire-related deaths for children. Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach, preferably in a locked cabinet. Teach children the dangersoffire and notto play withit. Purchase only child-resistant lighters. Remember: no lighter is childprooft * Don’t overload outlets, have heating systems checked annually, and use deep ashtrays and soak the ashes in water. Practice Escaping Fire Install and maintain a work- ing smoke alarm on every floor of the home and outside sleeping areas. Test the batteries monthly. * Keep children’s bedroom doors closed. If a hallway fire occurs, a closed door can prevent smoke from overpowering a baby Love alone didn’t save her. Practicing fire safety did. or toddler, giving firefighters extra time for rescue. Use a baby monitor to hear if a smoke alarm soundsin the child’s room. Familiarize children with the sound of a smoke alarm and what to do if one goes off: crawl under smoke, leave the building and go to a designated meeting place outside. Develop and practice a fire escape plan with every memberof the family. Identify two ways to escape from every room in the home. Firefighters may look scary to children. Teach them not to hide from firefighters in case of fire. For a free brochure from the U.S. Fire Administration’s new A Fire Safety Campaign for Babies and Toddlers, visit www.usfa parents.gov or write to the U. S. Fire Administration, Publica- tions Office, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.
