The best plan is orevention

PREVENT fires before they start by using this checklist around your home.

e Make sure fuel-burning space heaters and. appliances are properly installed and used.

Make sure space heaters are placed away from trafic and that children and elderly persons have been cautioned to keep their clothing away.

Do not use flammable liquids, like gasoline, to start or freshen a fire (or for cleaning purposes). Make sure the fireplace is equipped with a metal tire screen or heat-tempered glass doors.

Poriable gas and oil heaters in fireplaces use up oxygen as they burn, be sure to

Fire

IT’S one of the first lessons learned — to never play with matches — yet children continue to be the victims of fires they set themselves.

By far, one of the most devastating experiences a firefighter can have is finding a child who has been killed in a residential fire.

Curiosity about fire is normal in children two to seven years of age, who often display an interest by Eghting small fires or playing with matches, lighters, or candles. They tend to regard fire as something warm, bright, and exciting, and do not realize the painful and_ destructive consequences of fire play.

provide proper ventilation when they are in use. Allow proper clearances benveen space heaters and curtains, bedding — and furniture.

Do not allow members of

your household to smoke in bed.

Cheek alter smokers leave that no cigarette butts are lodged tn upholstered furniture where they can smolder unseen at night. Keep matches and lighters away from small children. Dispose of smoking materials carefully (not in waste baskets) and keep large, safe ashtrays wherever people smoke. Pur electrical cords out in the open — not ran under rugs, over hooks, or through deor openings. Check them routinely for

wear,

Be sure the right size fiise is in cach socket in the fuse box and make sure you replace used fuses with ones the same size. Children get burned climbing on the stove to reach an item overhead. Be sure ta store cookies, cereal, or other “bait” away from the stove.

Keep your basement, closets, garage and yard clear of combustibles like Papers, cartons, old furniture, or old rags? Store gasoline and) other flammable liquids in safety cans (never glass jugs, discarded bleach bottles, or other makeshilt conainers) and away trom heat, sparks, and children. Keep paint in tightly closed containers.

© Make sure furnace, stove, and smoke pipes are far cnough from: combustible walls and ceilinys, and) in good repair. Have your heating equipment checked yearly by a serviceman. Have the chimney cleaned and checked regularly. For safety against chimney and other sparks, be sure the roof covering, is fire retardant? Have a qualified clectrician install or extend = your wiring. Be sure your appliances carry the seal of a testing laboratory. Ensure there are cnough electrical outlets in’ every room and special circuits for heavy-duty appliances such as space hearers and air conditioners. -

‘ing isi’t childs’ play

Curious fire setting can usually be handled by educating the children about the dangers of playing with fire, through educational intervention by fire service personne! or by the children’s parents.

It is important that parents recognize the fact that a child’s interest and curiosity about fire must be met with information and education as early as the child exhibits this need.

Punishment, discipline, and scare tactics will not necessarily satisfy a child’s need to know about fire, its usefulness, and destructiveness. Parents need to seek assistance from their local fire department in

obtaining information and approaches in teaching young, children about fire.

In contrast to the curious fire setter, some children light fires due to emotional or mental disturbances.

This is sometimes related to a major crisis or trauma in a child’s life, sach as moving to a new neighbourhood, 4 death, or a divorce.

Ifa child sets a fire and has a probiem background, that child needs to be evaluated to determine motivation and appropriate intervention to meet the child’s and the family’s needs.

The ultimate goal is not only to stop the fire setting, but also co determine the underlying

problem of such behavior.

Many fire departments have programs and educational intervention available for juvenile fire setters. Your local fire department is most willing to assist any family in evaluating their child’s tire setting to educational intervention or professional — counselling will help to eliminate further fire setting incidents.

determine if

BLOCK WATCH

4 Wetching out for our community §

¢ Call 911 for all emergencies ¢ Report ail suspicous activities to the police ¢ Have an emergency escape plan fer your home

ARSONISTS CAN KILL

We must work together to stop them! ¥ ¢... For information on Block Watch ¥ & other Community Policing call

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