Health and Safety Month!

Unfortunately, many kids will try to hide from a fire, often in a closet, under a bed, or in a corner. But if taught basic fire facts, they'd be better able to protect themselves. Teach your kids that fires spread quickly, that most fire-related deaths are not from burns but from smoke inhalation, and that dangerous fumes can overcome a person in just a few minutes.
Kids should learn to:

• cover their mouths and noses with a moist towel or an article of clothing to keep out dangerous fumes while evacuating
• crawl under the smoke to safety, staying as low to the ground as possible (smoke always rises)
• touch any door (not the doorknob) to see if it is hot, and if it is, not to open it — find another exit
• locate the nearest stairway marked "Fire Exit" if they live in an apartment building, or a fire escape if the stairway isn't accessible — kids should know to always avoid elevators during a fire
• never stop to take personal belongings or pets or to make a phone call (even to 911) while evacuating
• never go back into a burning building once safely outside
• stop, drop, and roll to extinguish flames if an article of clothing catches on fire

Kids should also always be dressed for bed in flame-retardant sleepwear.

Special thank you to the Franklin Fire Dept. for speaking with us about fire safety!