Imagine this for a moment. It could save you more than just time. Imagine waking up to the smell of smoke. Imagine seeing your hall filling with thick black clouds, with flames round your kitchen door. It doesn't bear thinking about. But thinking about it can stop it happening. How much do you know about fire safety? What's the biggest single cause of death in fires? Which room in the house is the greatest fire risk? What's the most dangerous time for fires? What simple step makes the biggest difference?

Nearly two thirds of all domestic fires happen because of cooking. That's an awful lot of fires. The kitchen is the single most dangerous place in your home.

The fact is that time and again it's the same problems that cause fires in kitchens across the country. If you know what those problems are, the chances you'll have a fire in your kitchen are hugely reduced.

This section covers how to keep safe while cooking, plus what to do if a fire starts in your kitchen.

A checklist of the steps you should take to make the kitchen a safe place.

Cooker

Smoking can kill you very quickly. Overnight, in fact.
More people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires with any other single cause. Why?

Tobacco keeps burning
Tobacco is manufactured to stay alight, especially cigarette tobacco. It can quietly smoulder out of sight, starting a slow, deadly fire.

Night time is the killer time
People often smoke late at night when they're tired or have been drinking. They often fall asleep while smoking. Or they don't notice that a cigarette is still burning.

WHAT TO DO

If you smoke, you need to be aware of the fire risks and take steps to avoid them.



Never smoke in bed
It's just too easy to fall asleep. You fall asleep, the cigarette falls from your fingers, the bedclothes start burning, and you never wake up because the fumes kill you.






Don't smoke if you're drowsy
…Especially if you're sitting down in a comfortable chair or if you've been drinking or taking prescription drugs. Again, it's too easy to fall asleep.


Don't leave a lit cigarette
…Or a cigar or pipe. They can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or a newspaper, and start a fire. Never leave a cigarette burning down on the edge of a table or shelf.

Make sure the ashtray is heavy, can't tip over easily, and is made of a material that won't burn.




Always double-check they're stubbed out
Make totally sure cigarette and cigar butts, or what you knock out of a pipe bowl, aren't burning when you've finished with them. Wet them and empty the ashtray into a metal bin outside the house.

And never tap your ash into a waste paper basket - only an ashtray.



Use a proper ashtray
Make sure it can't be easily knocked over and avoid a build-up of ash and debris.




Don't leave matches or lighters lying around
Children love them. And every year children die starting fires with matches and lighters they shouldn't have had. It doesn't take more than a couple of minutes for a child left on their own to start a fire.

Keep lighters, matches and smoking materials out of reach of children. You can also buy child-resistant lighters and child-resistant containers for match boxes.

What's the fuss about candles?
Candles are actually a growing cause of fire. Every year people are killed and injured because they were careless with one. Learn how to be careful with candles.

Candles mark special occasions and create a special atmosphere. They also bring fire into your home.

So treat them carefully. Here are some guidelines.



Put them on a heat resistant surface
Be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic. TVs are not fire-resistant objects.







Put them in a proper holder
Candles need to be held firmly upright by the holder so they won't fall over. The holder needs to be stable too, so it won't fall over either.



Position them away from curtains
Don't put candles go near curtains or other fabrics - or furniture. And keep them out of draughts.







Don't put them under shelves
It's easy to forget that there's a lot of heat above a burning candle. If you put it under a shelf or other surface then it can burn the surface. Make sure there's at least three feet (one metre) between a candle and any surface above it.



Keep clothes and hair away
If there's any chance you could lean across a candle and forget it's there, put it somewhere else. You don't want to set fire to your clothes or your hair.





Keep children and pets away
Candles should be out of reach of children and pets.



Keep candles apart
Leave at least four inches (10cm) between two burning candles.



Take care with votive or scented candles
These kinds of candles turn to liquid to release their fragrance, so put them in a glass or metal holder.



Don't move them when they're burning
Extinguish candles before moving them. Also, don't let anything fall into the hot wax like match sticks.



Don't leave them burning
Extinguish candles before you leave a room. Never go to sleep with a candle still burning. And never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child's bedroom.





Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out
It's safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying.



Double-check they're out
Candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire. Make sure they're completely out.

Electricity is everywhere in our homes, and it's a very useful part of our lives. Yet it only takes one old or poorly wired plug to prove just how powerful it is. The wires don't even need to touch for a spark to jump and a fire to start.

Don't get too casual with electricity. Just because there's no flame doesn't mean there's no fire risk.

This section shows what to be alert for, what to check, and what not to do.

	How many appliances are on?
	At night how many of your appliances are using electricity? Obviously the fridge. The freezer, if you've got one. Maybe the clock on the cooker. The TV on standby. The video. The alarm clock. The answering machine. The mobile being recharged. And how many are plugged into live sockets? The stereo. The kettle. The radio. The food processor. The computer. You name it. Each one is connected to enough power to start a fire instantly. Check your electrics

What to Check For

Danger signs
Watch out for hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow for no obvious reason, flickering lights, scorch marks on sockets or plugs. They're all signs of loose wiring or other problems.



Badly wired plugs
If the coloured wires are sticking out of the plug, not only could they be pulled loose but water and debris could get inside the plug.







Fraying power leads
The outer covering of a power lead must not be damaged.



Repaired power leads
If the power lead does get split or frayed, don't tape over it. Water could get in, or the tape could come loose. And never join cables by taping them together.






Overloaded sockets
If you plug too many appliances into an adaptor you could overload the socket, which can lead to overheating. See the plugs and cables page for details of correct use.






Cables in vulnerable positions
Don't leave power leads where they can be tripped over, near a source of water, or close to the cooker top, especially if there are loose coils that could be pushed onto a ring.



Water near electrics
Don't let cables or plugs get wet, and keep liquids away from electrical appliances. Don't put a vase on top of the TV, for example. Make sure the kettle isn't leaking, and don't fill it up when it's plugged in.



Toaster
Keep the toaster clean and away from curtains.



Maintenance
Electrical appliances - especially the ones that run at high speeds and contain motors, like the washing machine and tumble dryer - should be serviced once a year.

Plugs and Cables

Plugs and cables are only dangerous if they aren't used properly. Here are the ground rules.



Use the right fuse
The fuse is designed to stop overheating. If the wrong fuse is fitted and there's a problem, a fire could occur.

• Appliances that use up to 700 watts: 3 amp fuse
  
• Appliances that use 700 to 1000 watts: 5 amp fuse
  
• Appliance that use 1000+ watts: 13 amp fuse
  

If in any doubt check the appliance's handbook.



Wire plugs carefully
The outer covering of the power lead should go inside the plug and be secured there. Inside the plug the wires should be held firmly in their places.

• Make sure the right colour wires go in the right places.
  
• Make sure you have the right fuse for the appliance.
  
  

Don't overload sockets
If too many appliances draw power from one socket it can be overloaded and start overheating.

• It is better to use a bar adaptor on a lead, rather than a block adaptor.
  
• Don't plug adaptors into adaptors. Only use one adaptor per socket.
  
• Don't allow the total current used by the appliances plugged into the adapter to add up to more than 13 amps of current altogether - or 3,000 watts of power. So, for example, you could have two 2 amp appliances and one 5 amp in an adaptor.
  
• That means you should never run more than one appliance that uses a lot of current, such as a kettle or television, from one socket.
  

Throw away damaged cables
If a power lead has a crack or a hole, stop using it. Never mend it with insulating tape. Never join two pieces of power cable yourself.






Never run cables under mats or carpets
They can wear through and no one will know.



Turn off and unplug electrical appliances
When you're not using electrical appliances such as the
television, switch them off at the wall and unplug them (unless the appliance is designed to be left on, like a video player that displays the date and time).

Fires and Heaters

Electrical heaters use a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat - two reasons to treat them with great care.

	Keep them clear of curtains and furniture
	Sit at least three feet (one metre) away
	Buy them from reputable shops
	Don't dry washing on or near heaters, or on fire guards
	Don't cover the air grilles of storage heaters, fan heaters and convection heaters
	Use a fireguard with a radiant fire, permanently if you have children

Electric Blankets
Checking it

Electric blankets cause more than 500 fires a year. But there are simple ways to stop that happening to you.

If your blanket (or its flex) shows any of these danger signs, you should have it checked or replaced:

	Fraying fabric
	Scorch marks
	Exposed elements
	Creasing or folding
	Soiling
	Damp patches
	Tie tapes damaged or missing
	Worn flex
	Loose connections
	An old BEAB safety mark - a round symbol (the new sign is white capital letters on a black background). This means it is more than 10 years old.

Dealing with Electrical Fires

The basic rule in fires is that you should put people's safety above every other consideration. But if a fire has just started and hasn't spread, you may be able to tackle it.

With electrical fires, it's vital that you do things right.

	Pull the plug out or switch off the power at the fuse box. This may stop the fire immediately.
	Smother the fire with a fire blanket, or use a dry powder.
	Never use water on it.

Why do you need to think about fire safety when you just want to relax and enjoy yourself?

Times when people get together and celebrate - at a party, say, or a religious festival - are times when there are more deaths and injuries from fires.

You're relaxed or distracted, you're cooking in a rush, there are more people than usual in your home, people are drinking or smoking. Your home is decorated, you have put up extra lights and candles. All the usual risks get bigger. So you need to be extra careful.

This section highlights what to watch out for and what steps you can take.

	Be careful…
	When children are around With candles With fairy lights With fireworks When people are smoking When people are drinking

Take a little time now to make sure your home is safe. It will be an investment you won't regret.

At the same time, you'll sharpen your awareness of what's dangerous in the home, which means you'll pick up on things quicker.

Finally, get into a regular routine before going to bed.

	So your home is safe enough already?
	If you're the sort of person who takes great care over the safety of your home, then you'll believe in double checking - and use this section for that. Most people, though, have a number of fire risks in their home that they're not aware of. Here's how to find out what they are.

Here's a quick checklist of the equipment a truly safe home should have.

Smoke alarm
A smoke alarm is an absolute must have for every home. You can get one for as little as £5. It will dramatically reduce your chances of dying or being injured in a fire. Everyone should have at least one on each floor.






















Fire blanket
Keep a fire blanket in the kitchen. You can use it to smother cooker top fires, for example. It gives you a way of responding effectively if flames suddenly ignite above a saucepan or chip pan.













Fire extinguisher
It's a good idea to have a fire extinguisher, kept mounted on the wall in an easily accessible position. If a small fire starts and you have time to deal with it without putting yourself at risk, an extinguisher will enable you to put it out quickly and effectively.

But make sure you know how to use the extinguisher and that you use the right sort of extinguisher depending on the kind of fire.







Sprinklers
A home sprinkler system can give you powerful extra protection. It will stop a fire before it takes hold.

Be Prepared

There are few things you can do around your home so that you'd react quicker if a fire did break out.

Keep escape routes clear
Don't block the corridor, door or window that you might need to use in a hurry if you had to escape a fire.








Keep keys in the same place
Imagine the panic if you couldn't find your front door keys with a fire blazing in your home. Always keep keys to doors and windows in the same place, and make sure everyone knows where they are kept.






Write down the emergency number 911 and your home address for children
Put a reminder by the phone so that if they have to call for help, they'll be able to do so even if they forget what number they should call.
They'll also be able to tell the fire brigade where you live.

Half of the deaths in home fires take place between 10pm and 8am. That's why it's important to check your home before you go to bed.

Switch off and unplug appliances
Only leave on those appliances that are designed to be left on, like some video recorders.



Check the cooker
Make sure the grill, hobs and oven are all turned off.



Don't leave the washing machine on
Or the tumble drier or dishwasher. Their high speed of operation, friction and motors mean they can be a fire risk.



Turn heaters off
And put a guard in front of an open fire.



Check candles
They can go on smouldering and set off a fire. Double-check they're out. Never leave one burning when you go to sleep.







Put cigarette ends right out
Make sure cigarettes and pipes are out, wetting them to be sure. Never smoke in bed where you could accidently fall asleep or catch fire to bedding.







Check the escape route
It should be clear of obstacles (and make sure the keys are where they're meant to be).








Close doors
Closed doors slow down the spread of a fire.



Turn off your electric blanket
Unless you're absolutely sure it can be left on safely, for example if it has a thermostat that is designed to be left on.

Shared or Rented Housing

If you live in rented housing, make sure your landlord is checking and maintaining equipment and appliances properly.

Electrics
Check that your landlord has arranged an electrical installation safety check recently.

Gas
Check that your landlord has a maintenance programme for gas heaters and appliances.

You should only tackle a fire if it's in its very early stages and then only if it is safe to do so. But having a way of putting a fire out can save you terrible damage to your home.

	Remember
	If in any doubt, get out. Things and buildings can be replaced but people can't.

This section shows you how to choose and use fire protection equipment.
FIRE BLANKETS

What are they?
Fire-resistant sheets of material.

How do you use them?
You cover a fire to cut its supply of oxygen or wrap a person whose clothes are on fire.

Advantages

• Quick to apply
• Light
• Easy to maintain
• Cheaper than extinguishers
  
  

Disadvantages

• To use on a fire, you have to move close to the fire, and your hands are particularly vulnerable
• You can only use on a very small and contained fire
• You probably only get one go at extinguishing the fire - if you fail to put it out, you can't retrieve the blanket

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

There are three main types of fire extinguisher:

• powder
• water
• foam

Powder and foam each come in two types: only one type of powder and one type of foam is suitable for having at home.

No single type of extinguisher is totally effective on every kind of fire. So before buying one, it's vital to look carefully at what kinds of fires it can be used on.

WHAT'S BEST FOR HOME USE?

Multi-purpose dry powder or Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) are probably the best choices. They have the fewest dangers and are effective on many types of fire.


STANDARD OR MULTI-PURPOSE DRY POWDER

Application
The powder "knocks down" the flames.

These are safe to use on most kinds of fire, but the multi-purpose powders are more effective, especially on burning solids. Standard powders work well only on burning liquids.

Dangers

• The powder does not cool the fire well.
• Fires which seem out can reignite.
• The powder doesn't penetrate small spaces, like those inside burning equipment.
• The jet could spread burning fat or oil around.

How to use
Aim the jet at the base of the flames and briskly sweep it from side to side.




WATER

Application
The water cools the burning material.

You can only use water on solids, like wood or paper. You must never use water on electrical fires or burning fat or oil.

Dangers

• The water can conduct electricity back to you.
• Water actually makes fat or oil fires worse - they can explode as the water hits them.

How to use
Aim the jet at the base of the flames and move it over the area of the fire.




FOAM OR AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam)

Application
The foam forms a blanket or film on the surface of a burning liquid.

Conventional foam works well only on some liquids so it's not good for use at home, but AFFF is very effective on most fires except electrical and chip pan fires.

Dangers

• "Jet" foam can conduct electricity back to you, but "spray" foam is much less likely to do so.
• The foam could spread burning fat or oil around.

How to use
For solids, aim the jet at the base of the flames and move it over the area of the fire. For liquids, don't aim the foam straight at the fire - aim it at a vertical surface or, if the fire is in a container, at the inside edge of the container.

Sprinklers


If you want to reduce the risk of dying in a fire as far as you possibly can, you should get fire sprinklers in your home. In parts of the US where sprinklers have become compulsory, almost no one dies from fire at home.

• Sprinklers are fitted in as many rooms as you want them to be. Their pipes are small and run off mains water.
  
  
• They are individually heat-activated, so the whole system doesn't go off at once.
  
  
• They rarely get set off accidentally as they need high temperatures to trigger them.
  
  
• They operate automatically, whether you're at home or not.
  
  
• If you have a sprinkler system it must be in conjunction with alongside a smoke alarm. The smoke alarm will alert you to slow-burning, smoke-generating fires which may not generate enough heat to trigger the sprinkler.
  
  
• Sprinklers sound the alarm when they go off - so they alert you and also tackle the fire.
  

Sprinklers are particularly suitable for older people and people who have difficulty moving around or have some other impairment.

Smoke Alarms


Smoke alarms are much more important than fire extinguishers.

If you have a fire extinguisher but no smoke alarm, you have wasted your money. You are in much greater danger than someone with a smoke alarm and no extinguisher.

A quarter of all people killed in home fires are asleep at the time. A smoke alarm with a working battery would have saved almost all of them.

• They wake you up before you die of smoke inhalation
  
  
• They give you extra time to escape that will probably save your life
  
  
• They're easy to get hold of - many supermarkets stock them
  
  Every home should have at least one smoke alarm.
  

Do you know what you should do if there's a fire? Are you sure? Does everyone who lives in your home know?

There's no time to stop and think and wonder what's the best thing to do. The situation can change in seconds. Half a minute after the smoke alarm goes off, an entire floor of your house could be filled with dense smoke.

This section shows how to plan ahead so you can react instantly.

You may already know what to do
But does everyone in your home know? If there are children, do they know not to shut themselves in a cupboard? Planning takes minutes and saves lives.

It's important to make a conscious effort to plan ahead.



Plan together
Include everyone who lives in your home, especially children, older people and lodgers.

Talk through your escape plan, including what to do and what not to do in a fire.





Choose an escape route
The best escape route is your normal way in and out of your home. Think of any difficulties you may have getting out, for example in the middle of the night.

Choose a second escape route, in case the first one is blocked.

Keep both escape routes clear of obstructions.

If there are older people or children in the household, plan the order you'd escape in, so that if you have to go out of a window you can help them down.



Think about a refuge
If you can't escape you will need to find one room to take refuge in- this is particularly important if you have difficulty moving around or going down stairs on your own. For more information, see additional needs resources.

It's best if the room you retreat to has a window and a phone.



Make sure everyone knows where you keep keys
Decide where the keys to doors and windows should be kept, and always keep them there. Everyone in your household should know the location.






Make sure everyone knows what to do
Go through all the points about what to do in a fire (You'll find them under the 'if there's a fire' menu in this section). Everyone should know the dos and don'ts.

• Put your address by the phone so children can read it out to the emergency services.
  
• Put a reminder of what to do in a fire somewhere prominent, like on the door of the fridge.
  

Tell everyone about fire equipment
If you have fire extinguishers or fire blankets, make sure all adults know where they are, and how to use them.

Extinguishers and blankets should only be used on a small, easily containable fire. The priority is always to keep people safe. Things can be replaced, but people can't.



Practise the plan
Take a few minutes to "walk through" the plan with everyone in the household. Regularly remind everyone of what to do and what not to do in a fire.



A complete plan
A full fire safety plan covers more than just what to do if the worst happens. It covers prevention and detection too. The Fire Safety Code pages of this site give a complete guide to planning prevention and detection, as well as escape.

If There's a Fire

You need to act instantly, swiftly and calmly once you become aware of a fire.



Alert everyone
Make sure everyone in your home knows about the fire. Shout. Get everyone together.



Don't delay
You can't afford to waste any time.

• Don't investigate the fire.
  
• Don't go looking for valuables - whether that's jewellery, photographs, documents or whatever.
  
• Don't go looking for pets.
  

Shut doors
As you go out, only open the doors you need to. Close any open doors.

Before you open a door check it with the back of your hand. If it's warm, don't open it - the fire is the other side.




Get everyone out
Use your escape route. Stay together if you can.



Crawl on the floor if there's smoke
The air is cleaner near the floor so if there's smoke put your nose as low as possible. Remember, smoke is poisonous and can kill you.






Call 911
Once you've escaped, use a mobile, a neighbour's phone or a phone box. 911 calls are free.

Don't call the local fire station's number - it will probably take longer to be answered.

• Speak slowly and clearly.
  
• Give the whole address of your home, including the town.
  
• Say what is on fire (eg, a two-storey house).
  
• Explain if anyone is trapped and what room they are in.
  

The more information the fire brigade has, the quicker it can get to you and act when it gets there.



Don't go back in
Don't go back in for anything.

If there's someone still inside, wait for the fire brigade to arrive. You can tell them about the person and they will be able to find them quicker than you.

If you disappear inside the building, that will slow down the firefighters' efforts to rescue anyone else missing, apart from putting your life in great danger.



Wait near the building
Find somewhere safe to wait. When the fire brigade arrives, give them as much information as possible about the fire and the building.

If Your Escape Route is Blocked

When the fire is between you and your escape route, you have to react in a different way.

GET OUT OF A WINDOW
You may be able to escape through a window if you are on the ground or the first floor. If you're on the first floor you should only do this as a last resort - when you are in immediate danger.



Cushion your fall
Throw bedding, cushions, etc, onto the ground to break your fall.








Don't jump
Lower yourself by your arms from the window ledge before dropping.









Lower children
If there are two adults, one should go down first to catch children. The other should lie down and lower children as far as possible before letting them drop.






If you have to break the window
Use a heavy object to hit the glass at the bottom corner. Make the jagged edges safe with a towel or blanket.









FIND A SAFE PLACE TO WAIT
When your escape route is blocked and you can't use a window, you need to keep safe in the building.



Get everyone into one room
Choose a room with a window and a phone if possible. Shut the door.








Block the door
Put cushions, bedding, etc, round the bottom of the door to block smoke.








Open the window and call for help
It's important to let firefighters know you are there, and if you haven't managed to call 999 you need to raise the alarm.







Stay by the window
Lean out of the window to breathe if you need to. Keep drawing attention to yourself.

If Your Clothes Catch Fire

Don't run around
You'll only fan the flames and make them burn faster.









Lie down
This makes it harder for the fire to spread. It also reduces the effect of flames on your face and head (flames burn upwards).







Smother the flames
Cover the flames with heavy material, like a coat or blanket. This blocks the fire's supply of oxygen.



Roll around
Rolling smothers the flames.











IF YOUR CLOTHES ARE ON FIRE

Living above the first floor doesn't make you any more at risk from fire. Most of your planning is the same as homes at ground level, but there are some key differences…

High rise flats are built to be fire-proof - walls, ceilings and doors will hold back flames and smoke. Most fires don't spread further than one or two rooms. If there's a fire elsewhere in the building you're usually safest in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.

This section shows how to plan ahead so you can react instantly.
HIGHRISE ESCAPE: Your Escape Plan

Sit down with everyone who lives in your home
Talk together about how you'd react to a fire.








Choose an escape route
This should be the easiest way out but you will not be able to use a lift. Pick a second escape route too. Don't choose a balcony. You need to think how to get out of your flat and into communal areas, but also how to get off your floor.





Think about a refuge
If you can't escape you will need to find one room to take refuge in. You're safest if the room (or it could be a lobby or corridor) is protected by fire-resistant walls - this is particularly important if you have difficulty moving around or going down stairs on your own. For more information, see additional needs resources.

It's best if the room you retreat to has a window and a phone.




Make sure everyone knows where the stairs are
As it's easy to get confused in the dark, count how many doors you need to go through. Don't use the lift.




Make sure everyone knows where door and window keys are kept
Always keeping your keys in the same place might save a life one day.







Make sure everyone knows where the fire alarm boxes are










Keep the escape route clear
Check there aren't any boxes, rubbish or anything inflammable in corridors or stairways. Make sure doors to stairways and fire escapes aren't locked. Regularly check you can open these doors from both sides.

Alert everyone

• Make sure everyone in your home knows about the fire. Alert neighbouring flats by banging on the doors on your way out. Set off the fire alarm if there is one.
  
• If there's a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air will be clearer.
  

Get everyone out

• Don't delay for valuables.
  
• Don't investigate the fire.
  
• Before you open doors check them with the back of your hand. If they're warm don't open them - the fire is on the other side.
  
• Don't use the lift - go down the stairs.
  

Call 911
Use a mobile phone or a phone box. Give the address including the number of your flat, and tell them what floor the fire is on.







Don't go back in
Not for anything, even pets.

If Your Escape Route is Blocked

You may not be able to get out of your flat because the fire is blocking the exit. Or you may not be able to get out of the building if, for example, there is a fire outside your flat or in the stairwell.




If the fire is in your flat, get everyone into a room with a window. Put cushions, bedding, etc, round the bottom of the door to block smoke.








Open the window. If you feel in serious danger, wave a sheet out of the window so the firefighters know you're there.








If the fire is outside your flat, seal your front door with tape if you can as well as using bedding, etc. Close any ventilators. Phone 911, giving the number of your appartment If your front door becomes hot, wet it down.

CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is a lifesaving procedure that has saved many lives. It is a valuable tool that can be preformed in those first crucial minutes of an emergency situation. It takes special training, but it is not very hard to learn The Red Cross or  your local hospital should have classes available in your area.

Child CPR should be used in the case of a child 1-8 years of age. If you find a child in distress, check out the scene for clues to what happened and for any dangerous hazards in the area.

1. Check Responsiveness

• If there is any suspicion of a head or neck injury, do not move the child unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Shake the child's shoulder, to try and elicit a response
• If there is no response continue to step two.

2. Shout out for help so that others are aware of the emergency.

• Call or have someone else call 911.

3. Roll the child onto back.

• If necessary roll the child over onto his back. Do this as a unit, do not twist.

4. Open airway

• Place your hand on the child's forehead and tilt the head back, also place your fingers on the chin and lift. This will make the airway. open.

5. Check for breathing

• Place your ear over the child's  mouths and nose. Look at the child's chest to check for breath. Listen and feel for breath. If there is no breathing continue to step 6

6. Give two slow breaths

• Keep the head tilted and chin up, pinch the child's nose shut and make a seal with your mouth over the child's mouth.
• Give two slow breaths each lasting one second. Be sure to watch for the chest to rise, and allow for chest deflation after each breath.
• If the chest does not rise, try two more breaths again, if this is still unsuccessful suspect that the airway is blocked and perform the Heimlich maneuver.

7. Check for Pulse

• Maintain the head tilt with your hand on the infant's forehead and check the   carotid pulse. Locate the Adam's apple with two or three fingers, then slide your fingers down into the groove of neck on the side closest to you. Feel for the carotid pulse for 5-10 seconds.
• Only if you can NOT feel a pulse would you start CPR. Never do chest compressions on anyone with a heartbeat.

8. Locate finger positions

• Use your fingers to find the notch at the end of the sternum.
• Place your middle finger on top of the notch and your index finger next to it.
• While looking at the position of the index finger, put the heel of the hand, (the hand closest to the child's feet) on the sternum next to where the index finger was.
• Keep the fingers off of the chest and use the heel of one hand only.

9. Give 5 compressions

• Keep one hand on the child's forehead to maintain head tilt.
• With your shoulder directly above your hand place your hand on the chest.
• Make sure to keep the arm straight and elbow locked.
• Push down on the sternum one to one and half inches.
• Do 5 compressions at a rate of 80-100 per minute. Count as you push down, "one and two and three and four and five."

10. Give one breath.

• Follow the same procedures as in step six except give only one breath.

11. Repeat compression/breathing cycles to continue CPR for one minute, for a total of ten cycles.

12. Recheck Pulse.

• Keep one hand on the forehead to maintain head-tilt.
• Feel for the carotid pulse, check for 5 seconds. If there is still no pulse go to step 13.

13. Continue with the compression breathing cycles

• Check the carotid pulse every few minutes.

14. If your child ever begins to breathe on his own discontinue CPR.

• When the  immediate crisis is over, Check the child over for any injuries or problems they might have.

Fire-Fighting Strategy

Fire fighting strategy involves the following basic procedures: arriving at the scene of the fire as rapidly as possible; assessing the nature of the fire by determining its intensity and extent, the type and abundance of fuel, the danger of entering the fire area, and the most effective techniques for extinguishing the fire; locating and rescuing endangered persons; containing the fire by protecting adjacent areas; ventilating the fire area to allow for the escape of heat and toxic gases; and, finally, extinguishing the fire.

Links
Smokey Bear Forest Fire Prevention

designed to appeal to children ages 6 to 10 and their parents by offering games and puzzles about campfire safety and forest fire prevention.

Sparky the Fire Dog

Fire Administration Kids Page

FEMA: A Fire Safety Campaign for Babies and Toddlers

Firefighter Memorial

Our brothers and sisters in New York and Washington are working in extreme circumstances. In New York that have suffered a terrible loss of nearly 200 firefighters. I encourage you to offer Visit our Firefighter Memorial page and offer a prayer for them.

Kids Fire Safety Tips

Women in the Fire Service Network

N.F.P.A

National Fire Prevention Week

Safe Kids

Fire Fighter's Cook Book Be sure to place a description of your link for your viewers here!
Department of Homeland Security

Make a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed Be sure to place a description of your link for your viewers here!