FAMILY ■ SCHOOL ■ FIRE SERVICEPARTNERS IN PREVENTION

THANKS TO:

Have Two Ways Out!

2A

Illinois Fire Safety Alliance

SM

IFSA

In the NewsLocate an article in your e-edition newspaper about a home fire. Use complete sentences to answer as many of the following questions as you can about your article on a separate piece of paper.

James SalettaPresident, IFSAFire Chief, Huntley

Mary WerderitchExecutive Director, IFSA

Terry PlutaVice-President, IFSA

Dottie Ahbe Director, IFSA

Deborah KeeganSpecial Sections, Chicago Sun-Times

Mike PerroneDirector, Distribution, Chicago Sun-Times

Sandy MatherSr. Manager,Circulation Sales and Marketing,Chicago Sun-Times

The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is a non-profit organization that brings individuals and groups together who share a common interest in fire safety. The IFSA sponsors several programs funded entirely through private donations. They include:

■ Summer Burn Camp (CAMP “I AM ME”)—for children ages 8 to 16 who are burn survivors.■ Get Fired Up About Fire Safety—a fire prevention/safety curriculum for schools. An interactive CD version is available in English and Spanish.■ Farm/Rural/Wildland Fire and Burn Prevention Guide-available free of charge.■ A Momentary Touch That Will Last a Lifetime!—“A Sparkler Story” DVD available free of charge depicting the effects caused by a sparkler burn.■ Bath Buddy Thermometers—distributed to every hospital’s newborn ward in Illinois for new parents.■ Fireworks Committee—helps draft legislation and laws in Illinois.■ Home Fire and Burn Prevention Guide—available free of charge.■ Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program: a standardized statewide program to provide education/ intervention and referrals if warranted for the children and families of Illinois to reduce the number of fire related activities by juveniles. For more information, please contact the IFSA at (800) 634-0911 or jfsi@ifsa.org.■ Fire Safety and Burn Prevention for Older Adults–fire and life safety information for older adults, whether they live independently or in a residential facility. The program includes these topics: Smoking, Kitchen Safety, Heating, Smoke Alarms, Escape Plans, Electricity, In Case of Fire, Burn Care, Candles, and Fire Safety Checklist.

If you know a young burn survivor who would like information about Burn Camp “I AM ME”, or if you or your organization is interested in helping fund IFSA programs, please contact the IFSA at (800) 634-0911, or visit www.ifsa.org.

Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012

A message from:

1. We should always __________________ during a fire drill. (run — skip — walk)2. We should be __________________ during a fire drill. (noisy — quiet — loud)3. When we get outside the school, we should go to our ___________________________________.(meeting place — friend’s house — house)4. When the school fire alarm sounds, we should listen to our ___________________________.(friends — strangers — teachers)5. We should have a school fire drill once a ________________. (week — month — year)

Write the correct word on each line.School Fire Drills

Have Two Ways Out!

THANKS TO:

The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) wants to thank you for taking the time to read this special Fire Safety and Burn Prevention section of the Chicago Sun-Times. This section is appropriate for children and adults alike, and contains puzzles, games and learning activities. Adult involvement with the kids on these activities will greatly enhance the ultimate goal and effectiveness of this year’s National Fire Prevention Theme, “Have Two Ways Out”. Make the investment of time with your kids and every member of your family, neighbors and friends to talk about the information in this section. Treat it as if their life depends on it! I hope you find this special section, now in its thirteenth year, informative and educational. It is a great opportunity to share an educational experience that is potentially lifesaving.

Jim SalettaPresidentIllinois Fire Safety Alliance

WEB SITESAmerican Burn Association: www.ameriburn.org

American Red Cross: www.il-redcross.org

Chicago Fire Department: www.ci.chi.il.us

Chicago Sun-Times: www.suntimes.com

ComEd: www.exeloncorp.com

Illinois Electric Council: www.safeelectricity.org

Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov

Illinois Fire Inspectors Association: www.illinoisfireinspectors.org

Illinois Fire Safety Alliance: www.ifsa.org

Illinois Fire Service Institute: www.fsi.uiuc.edu

Illinois Safety Council: www.ilsafetycouncil.org

National Fire Protection Association: www.nfpa.org

National Fire Sprinkler Association: www.nfsa.org

National Safe Kids Campaign: www.safekids.org

Survive Alive House: www.survivealivehouse.com

U.S. Fire Administration — Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.usfa.fema.gov

Underwriters Laboratories: www.ul.com

1. Why did the fire start?2. Where did the fire start?3. What type of injuries or property damage resulted from the fire?4. Who was injured in the fire?5. When did the fire start?6. Were there working smoke alarms in the home?7. Explain at least two ways the fire could have been prevented.

Answers: 1. walk, 2. quiet, 3. meeting place, 4. teachers, 5. month

OBJECTIVE:Identifying the cause and effect of a fire.

SUMMARY:Realizing the 5Ws (Who, What, Why, When, Where) will increase the awareness and understanding of what causes a fire.

OBJECTIVE:Participate in fire drills at school.

SUMMARY:Fire drills are importantprocedures that each student must practice in order to be ready in the event of a fire.

3AChicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012 Have Two Ways Out!

Include in your escape plan: 1. Windows, doors, stairs and hallways.

2. Two ways out of every room. 3. More than one escape route

from your house. 4. Location of all smoke alarms.

5. Outside meeting places.

Escape Route

Practice makes perfect.Include all family members in your home fire drill and follow these important steps:■ Know what your smoke alarm sounds like.

■ Have everyone lie down on their bed with their doors closed.

■ Alert everyone. (whistle/shout)

■ Roll out of bed.

■ Go to the door. Stay below the smoke. Feel the door with the back of your hand before opening it.

■ If the door is cool, hold your body against the door and carefully open it to look for fire or smoke on the other side.

■ If there is no smoke, exit quickly. But remember, if the door is hot or you see fire and smoke, use a second way out.

■ Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.

■ Everyone should meet at your safe meeting place outside.

■ Pretend to call 9-1-1 or the fire department from a safe place.

■ Tell the fire department that everyone is out.

1. How many ways can you get out of each room? ____________________________________2. Label the ways out of each room with different colored arrows.3. If there is a fire, where should you be when you call the fire department? _______________ 4. Where is the meeting place? _____________________________________________________5. Where should the smoke alarms be placed? ________________________________________

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN?

It’s your family’s turn!With your family, draw a map of your home. Mark the windows, doors, and smoke alarms. Next, show two ways out of each room. Be sure to show your meeting place. Put the fire department’s phone number on your map. Test your smoke alarms and then practice your plan!

KITCHEN FAMILYROOM

BEDROOMBEDROOMBEDROOM

LIVING ROOM

MEETING PLACE

Look at the house floor plan above and answer the following:

1.____________from a fire several rooms away can kill you.

2. Smoke won’t ____________ you, it will kill you first.

3. Victims are ____________ by smoke loaded with poisonous gases before the fire reaches them.

4. Smoke and fire can travel up a stairway as if it were a ______________.

5. If trapped in smoke, get _________ the smoke and quickly get to safety.

6. There should be at least one smoke ___________on every level of your home.

7. It is easier to breathe air near the floor because heat and smoke ___________.

Stay Low and Go

Below

Chimney

Alarm

Rises

Smoke

Suffocated

Wake

Study the picture and read the statements below it. Fill in each blank using a word from the list.

OBJECTIVE:Develop a home escape plan.

SUMMARY:Families need to plan and practice what to do in the event of a fire, and post their plan where they can all see it.

Answers: 1. smoke, 2. wake, 3. suffocated, 4. chimney, 5. below, 6. alarm, 7. rises

4A Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012Have Two Ways Out!

HOME FIRE SAFETY KEY:

This home needs a make-over—a safety makeover, that is! A lot of families renovate their homes to increase space, value, or style. In this activity, you’ll examine this floor plan and give the home a fire safety makeover! There are 15 things wrong or missing, and each can be a fire hazard. See if you can spot them all and write them on a separate piece of paper. Then use the letter key below to install home safety equipment that will “make over” the apartment.

Kitchen: 9’ x 12’Living room: 15’ x 12’Hallway 1: 24’ x 3’Master bedroom: 10’ x 12’Bedroom: 8’ x 12’Bathroom: 6’ x 6’Closet: 2’ x 6’Hallway 2:4’ x 6’Family room: 10’ x 12’

CALCULATE THE TOTAL SQUARE FEET OF THE HOME USING THESE DIMENSIONS:

Interview a firefighter! Call the non-emergency number of your fire department and ask to conduct an interview. Find out the top five things students should know about fire dangers, and share the important points on the classroom bulletin board. Invite the firefighter to join the class for a discussion.

HOME SAFETY EXTRA:

Answers:1. kitchen: matches and lighter not stored properly2. kitchen: unattended cooking on a stove3. kitchen: flammable dish cloth is too close to stove4. kitchen: cooking can cause false smoke alarms that might be ignored5. living room: metal screen (MS) or tempered glass (TG) near fireplace (missing)6. living room: unattended candles burning with nearby papers7. living room: smoke alarm too close to window8. master bedroom: blankets too close to space heater9. master bedroom: no smoke alarm10. bedroom: window blocked by furniture11. closet: fire escape ladder should be under a bed12. hallway 1: blocked by bicycle, toys, clothes, and other clutter13. family room: overloaded electrical outlet14. family room: door is the only way out (missing windows)15. living room: fire extinguisher should be located at the home exit door

Home safety extra!Total sq. ft/: 768 square feet

HOME SAFETY MAKEOVER

5AChicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012 Have Two Ways Out!

OBJECTIVE:Identify home fire safety hazards and develop a home escape plan.

SUMMARY:Families need to plan and practice what to do in the event of a fire, and post their plan where they can all see it.

TIMELINE OF A FIRE

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

MINUTES

From 0-30 seconds: smoke alarm goes off

One minute: home fire sprinkler activates; fire is controlled or extinguished– flashover prevented

Between two and three minutes: fire is reported

Three minutes: firefighters are dispatched. Without sprinklers, flashover can occur.

Between four and nine minutes: firefighters respond

Between nine-ten minutes: fire equipment is set up

Ten minutes and beyond: fire is extinguished

■ Test smoke alarms at least once a month and whenever you return from vacations.■ Don’t investigate or fight a fire—just get to safety!■ Make sure smoke alarms are on every level of your home and inside or near every sleeping area.■ Create a family escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.■ Make sure adults are assigned to wake up children and assist others that need help escaping.■ Determine two escape routes to take from each room.■ Never leave cooking food, burning candles, or other ignited materials unattended.■ Keep anything that can catch fire away from heat sources (e.g., keep space heaters three feet away from sofas and curtains).■ Be sure that security bars on the doors and windows can be opened easily from inside the room to allow a safe exit from a window.■ Check that the lock to any outside doors can be opened from the inside without a key so that you can get out quickly.

HOME FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Three minutes or less. That’s all the time you may have to escape a fire in your home. Don’t wait!

GET OUT OF THEBURNING BUILDING THEN:

1. Go to the nearest phone and dial:

_______________________________________ (Fire Department Number)

SPEAK SLOWLY AND CLEARLY. Say:

2. My name is: _________________________ (Name of Caller)

3. I want to report a fire at:

_______________________________________ (Location)

4. The phone numberI am calling from is:

________________________

PUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENTPHONE NUMBER ONEVERY PHONE.

REPORTING A FIREREPORTING A FIRE

Get Out!Find 4 ways to escape this burning building.

Do you know 2 ways out of your house?

6A Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012Have Two Ways Out!

OBJECTIVE:Understand that sparklers are dangerous.Understand that there should be a working smoke alarm in every bedroom and on every level of your home.

SUMMARY:Sparklers can burn at up to 1800 degrees.Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.

ARE

REALLY SAFE?Sparklers Burnat up to

1,800°FAluminum Melts at

1,200°F

Glass Melts at

900°F

Wood Burns at

575°F

Cakes Bake at

350°F

Matches Burn at

325°F

Smoke Alarms Never Sleep!Study the pictures and read the statementsabout smoke alarms. Put a T or F on the blank next to each statement. Draw a line from each statement to the matching picture.

1.

T-c

2.

F-i

3.

T-f

4.

F-d

5.

F-h

6.

T-a

7.

F-j

8.

T-e

9.

F-g

10.

T-b

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

_____ 1. A smoke alarm should be tested once a month.

_____ 2. Smoke alarm batteries should be replaced every fifteen years.

_____ 3. A smoke alarm is needed on every level of a house.

_____ 4. It is not important to clean smoke alarms regularly.

_____ 5. Smoke alarms should be placed near heating vents.

_____ 6. Smoke alarms should have a recognized testing label on them.

_____ 7. There should be a smoke alarm in the kitchen of every house.

_____ 8. Early warning of a fire can save lives.

_____ 9. The smell of smoke will always wake you up.

_____ 10. The air closest to the floor is the safest to breathe during a fire.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

LEAVE THEM ALONEDid you know that sparklers can burn at 1800 degrees?

1. Matches can start a fire. _____2. Fire can burn your skin. _____3. Burns can give you scars that never

go away and can hurt for many years. _____

What do you think? [answer True or False]

4. Matches can start clothes on fire. _____5. If it requires a match, it’s not safe. _____6. Fireworks are NOT toys. Let professionals handle them. _____

Answers: All are true.

What is fire?

How does fire form?

THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON

Fire, also called combustion, is a chemical reaction between two gases–oxygen and vapors from burning fuels, such as gasoline, propane, or wood. Fire occurs when there is enough heat to change the fuel from a solid to a gas. When a gas reaches the right temperature, its molecules (tiny particles that make up a substance) break apart and atoms (even smaller particles) are released. These atoms combine with oxygen in the air through a process called oxidation. Fire is rapid oxidation with the production of heat and light.

To get started, a fire needs: fuel, oxygen, and heat. A chemical chain reaction that is the result of the fuel combining with the oxygen keeps the fire going by generating new heat. Combustible fuels can be in different states of matter–solid (wood), liquid (gasoline), or gas (propane)–when they burn. A fire is extinguished by removing one of the components of the fire tetrahedron. For instance, water reduces and removes heat from a fire, which stops the production of combustible vapors. The carbon dioxide in a fire extinguisher reduces oxygen and smothers the fire.

Reality: Each sprinkler protects an area beneath it. When heated by fire, the sprinkler above the area with the fire activates. Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. The other sprinklers, unheated by fire, do not activate. Ninety percent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler.

Reality: The truth is, a sprinkler will control a fire with a tiny fraction of the water used by fire department hoses because a sprinkler activates during the early stages of a fire before the fire department can arrive. Automatic sprinkler systems spray water only in the immediate area of the fire, usually with just one sprinkler operating. As a result, the fire is kept from spreading, and widespread water damage is avoided.

Reality: Sprinklers activate when they are heated by fire, not by smoke.

Reality: Nationally, on average, home fire sprinkler systems add 1% to 1.5% of the total building cost in new construction. Not only do fire sprinkler systems save lives, they reduce property loss and can even help cut homeowner insurance premiums. They save fire department resources for other uses as well.

Reality: The odds are 1 in 16 million per year that a sprinkler will accidentally discharge because of a manufacturing defect. One study concluded that sprinkler accidents are generally less likely and less severe than mishaps involving standard home plumbing systems. And, despite the “sight gags” on television sit-coms, cigarette smoke is not enough to trigger sprinkler operation. Home fire sprinklers are at least as reliable as home plumbing systems.

7AChicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012 Have Two Ways Out!

Sprinklers are the single most effective way to prevent fire-related deaths. Combined with smoke alarms, the risk of death in a home fire is cut by 82%.Sprinklers can also help extinguish a fire or keep it from spreading until the fire department arrives. Sprinklersystems work immediately to reduce the danger and prevent fast developing fires of intense heat that are capable of trapping and killing those in a home. ■ Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. ■ Fire hoses, on average, use more than 15 times the water that sprinklers do to contain a fire.■ The odds of accidental activation of sprinklers are 1 in 16 million.

OBJECTIVE:Understand that the installation of both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers in a home can reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 82%. Demonstrate the ability to properly report a fire or an emergency.

SUMMARY:80% of all fire deaths occur in the home. The single most effective way to prevent fire-related deaths in the home is the installation of residential fire sprinklers. Smart thinking could save lives, reduce property loss and minimize injuries.

EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES

Fire Sprinkler Myths

Myth #1 The water damage from sprinklers is worse than a fire.

Myth #2 Sprinklers go off accidentally, causing unnecessary water damage.

Myth #3 When one sprinkler goes off, they all go off.

Myth #4 Smoke sets off a sprinkler.

Myth #5 Home fire sprinklers are expensive.

Match the Myth with the Reality.

How Home FireSprinklers WorkA typical home fire sprinkler

covers a 12’x 12’ area.

Cover plate (falls to the floor and exposes the

spray sprinkler.)

Pipe(connected towater supply)

Plug(frees water)

Liquid-filled bulb bursts at135°-165°F

Sprinker

Answers: Myth 1 goes to Reality 3, Myth 2 goes to Reality 6, Myth 3 goes to Reality 2, Myth 4 goes to Reality 1, Myth 5 goes to Reality 4, Myth 6 goes to Reality 5

■ Sam is pointing to a sprinkler head.

■ Fire sprinklers are installed in the ceiling or high on a wall.

■ The heat from a fire, not smoke, will activate a sprinkler head.

Sprinkler Smarts

OUTBURN

MEETINGROLLPLANSTOP

SMOKETWODROPLOWCOOLFIRE

Safety Search

1. If your clothes catch on fire, ________, ________, and ______.

2. Have a ________ place outside your home.

3. Get _________ in _________.

4. Put _________ water on a _________.

5. Know your _________ department phone number.

6. Know ________ ways _______.

7. Have a fire escape ________.

Find and circle the 12 fire safety words in the puzzle and then write them on the lines.

Answers: 1. stop, drop, roll, 2. meeting, 3. low, smoke, 4. cool, burn, 5. fire, 6. two, out, 7. plan

Y N1. Is there at least one smoke alarm in every bedroom and on each level of your home? ❑ ❑ 2. Do you and your family know what your smoke alarm or building fire alarm sounds like? ❑ ❑ 3. Are your smoke alarms regularly tested and batteries changed regularly? ❑ ❑ 4. Is there a fire extinguisher in your home and do you and your family know how to use it? ❑ ❑ 5. Does your family have a fire escape plan posted that shows all the exits from your house or apartment? ❑ ❑ 6. Have you and your family held a fire drill at home to make sure everyone knows how to escape if you had to? ❑ ❑ 7. Does everyone know two ways out of every room in your home? ❑ ❑ 8. Do you and your family know how to call the fire department in case of an emergency? ❑ ❑ 9. Have all the windows in your house been checked to be sure that they open easily? ❑ ❑ 10. Do all smokers at home know never to smoke in bed? ❑ ❑ 11. Are ashtrays large, with holders for cigarettes in the center? ❑ ❑

12. Do you promise never to play with matches and tell little brothers and sisters to do the same? ❑ ❑

13. Are all electrical cords in good condition? ❑ ❑ 14. Are extension cords kept out from under rugs, carpets, and off nails and pipes? ❑ ❑ 15. Is only one appliance or device plugged into an extension cord? ❑ ❑ 16. Is there a tight-fitting screen in front of the fireplace? ❑ ❑ 17. Is the chimney cleaned each year? ❑ ❑ 18. Are ashes removed from the fireplace or wood heater in metal containers? ❑ ❑ 19. Is your furnace cleaned each year? ❑ ❑ 20. Are curtains and clothing kept away from stoves and heaters? ❑ ❑ 21. Is there proper clearance between wood heaters and their vents and combustible walls? ❑ ❑

22. Are spaces around water heaters and furnaces free from combustible materials and flammable liquids? ❑ ❑ 23. Are your closets, attic, basement and utility room clear of newspapers, old rags and trash that could easily burn? ❑ ❑ 24. Are areas outside your house clear of trash, high weeds, rubbish, etc? ❑ ❑ 25. Are gasoline and other flammable liquids kept in proper containers? ❑ ❑ 26. Are fuses or circuit breakers appropriate for your home? ❑ ❑ 27. Does everyone in your family know the telephone number of the fire department? ❑ ❑

28. Does everyone in your family know the safe meeting place outside in case of fire? ❑ ❑ 29. Does your family know how to get out quickly and stay out of a burning building? ❑ ❑ 30. Does everyone in your family know to look for the fire exits when they are in a public building? ❑ ❑

DISCLAIMER: This educational supplement is designed to provide the public with general information on fire safety. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, the Chicago Sun-Times and co-sponsors of the section assume no liability for any actions taken by persons based on the information contained within. No part of this educational supplement may be reproduced or distributed outside of the State of Illinois without the express written permission of both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance.

ILLINOIS FIRE SAFETY ALLIANCE SM

ENDORSED BY:

CHECKLISTCheck YES or NO for each question. Any NO answer can be a hazard.

SOURCE: “Get Fired Up About Fire Safety” written by Dottie Ahbe and Terry Pluta. For more information call the IFSA at (800) 634-0911.

Don’t turn your back on fire safety!

AROUND THE HOUSE & HOME

Rural fire safety is often more challenging than city fire safety. Another challenge is a limited water supply, and wood or brush near a home also can fuel fires.

Here are a few fire safety tips to help prevent fires in the rural areas or on farms:■ Combustible materials should be stored in a separate building from animals.■ Do not allow smoking in barns or near combustible materials or flammable liquids.■ Do not refuel engines inside a building or while the engine is still hot or running. ■ Place firewood at least 30 feet away from all buildings.■ Keep tree limbs away from overhead power lines.■ Avoid parking cars or trucks in grass or leaves.■ Beware of sparks from chain saws, welding torches and other equipment.■ If possible, make sure fire hydrants and ponds are accessible to the fire department.■ Burning yard waste is a fire hazard. Check with your local fire department on permits and restrictions.

IN THE COUNTRY

THANKS TO:

8A Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012Have Two Ways Out!

SPRINKLERS How do sprinklers work? Fire sprinklers are individually heat-activated and connected to a network of pipes with water under pressure. When the heat of the fire rises to a temperature, usually between 135 to 175 degrees, the sprinkler will automatically turn on over the fire. Sprinklers provide the ultimate protection from fire for your property and your family. They go to work immediately to reduce the danger. Sprinklers can extinguish residential fires in less than one minute. Sprinklers prevent fast developing fires of intense heat, allowing you to escape from the fire. Today’s technology has helped to conceal sprinklers behind ceiling plates and out of sight until needed. They are available in a wide range of sizes and colors to blend into the background of almost any room.

SPECIAL NEEDSThere are those who may have broken a leg or are on

crutches, or who have a permanent disability, who should take certain fire safety precautions: Here are a few tips:■ Try to choose an apartment or condominium located

near an exit. ■ If you have a two-story unit, arrange to sleep on the

first floor. ■ Have a ramp constructed near emergency exits if

possible. ■ Keep a phone by your bed.■ Install smoke alarms. For those who are hearing-

impaired, purchase special smoke alarms with strobe lights or a vibrator alert for a fire.

■ Plan and practice your escape around your abilities. Know at least two ways out of every room.

■ Make sure your address is clearly marked so firefighters can see it from the street.

■ Contact your local fire department and make them aware of your special needs. They may also offer suggestions to your escape plan.

CANDLES Here are a few rules and precautions for adults to remember when using candles:■ Never allow children to light a candle. ■ Do NOT allow children to have a candle lit in their room.■ Keep candles away from hair and clothing.■ Use non-flammable candleholders that won’t tip over and can

catch dripping candle wax. Place candleholders on a flat sturdy surface.

■ Never place candles in windows where blinds and curtains can catch fire.

■ Do not carry a lit candle into a closet or a small space.■ Never leave a burning candle alone. Double-check all candles to

make sure they have been extinguished.■ Do not extinguish a candle with water. Water can cause the hot

wax to spatter and break candle containers.■ The correct way to extinguish a candle is with a candle snuffer.

OLDER ADULTSDon’t forget to make sure grandma and grandpa or an elderly

friend or neighbor has a fire safety plan of their own. Older adults with physical limitations need to pay special attention to fire safety. Here are a few tips for you to review with someone you know: ■ Install smoke alarms in all sleeping areas and on every level

of the home. ■ Test smoke alarms regularly.■ People with physical limitations should install special devices such

as smoke alarms with a vibrating pad, flashing light or a fan that can be activated for the hard of hearing or the visually impaired.

■ Assist with a plan and practice an escape route around their abilities. Plan two ways out of every room. Check windows and doors to make sure they open easily.

■ Take extra precaution around the stove. If a pan catches fire, slide a lid over it and turn off the burner.

■ Heaters should be at least three feet from anything that can catch on fire. Unplug heater when you have finished using it.

■ Put cigarettes and cigars in large, deep ashtrays. Don’t smoke in bed.

■ Teach stop, drop and roll.■ Know who to call. It may be 911 or the fire department’s

emergency number. Make sure they know how to stay on the phone until they are told to hang up.