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Make sure you have smoke detectors in
your home and that your children know what they sound like.
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Keep emergency numbers posted near all
your telephones so you can quickly call for assistance.
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Every family member should know at least
two ways out of each room. Stay as close to the floor as possible during
your escape. Hot air and smoke rise, so the air nearest the floor may be
safer to breathe.
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If you encounter a closed door during
your escape, feel the door before opening it. If it's hot, use another
exit. The heat could indicate fire on the other side.
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Teach your children how to escape in
case of a fire -- not to hide under a bed or in a closet.
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Designate a well-lit place, a safe
distance from your home, where everyone will meet in the event of a
fire. This will help firefighters determine if anyone is still in the
burning home.
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Remember, never return to a burning
building for any reason
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When the children are in bed, close
their bedroom doors. In the event of fire, this can slow smoke from
spreading and may give you and the children extra time to escape.
Remember: Closing bedroom doors means you'll have to listen more
carefully for the children. Installing an intercom system might be a
good idea.
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Move matches, lighters, or any other
smoking materials out of the reach of small children and make sure your
children understand that playing with matches is dangerous.
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Keep space heaters at least three feet
away from things that burn, such as furniture and paper. And keep
children away from space heaters.
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Whenever you cook, turn pot handles so
they don't stick out over the edge of the stove. This helps prevent
dangerous spills of hot food and liquid.
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Never put anything into a microwave oven
unless you are absolutely sure it is safe. Paper, glass and
microwave-proof earthenware are safe. Never put metals, including
aluminum foil, in a microwave.
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If you smell smoke, hear a smoke alarm,
or see flames, get everybody out! Right away! Do not go back into the
burning building. Go directly to the meeting place and count heads to
make sure that everybody is there.
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In the event of a fire take the children
to a neighbor's and call the fire department. Give the fire department
the complete address of the fire, and stay on the phone until you are
told you may hang up.
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The best first aid for burns is to run
cool water over the burned area for 10 minutes. If a burn starts to
blister, get help quickly.
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If your clothing catches on fire: 1)
Stop, don't run. 2) Drop to the floor and cover your face with your
hands. 3) Roll over and over until the fire goes out.