Window Decals of Little Value

Parents are often surprised...and disappointed...when they receive a lukewarm response from their local fire department when inquiring about a fire-rescue decal for their children's bedroom window. Surely, they reason, the fire department should be interested in locating children or invalids that need help. Recently, pet-finder stickers are being distributed by a citizen-concerned agency. Neither child-invalid decals nor pet decals for windows are supported by the Southern California Public Education Committee, Fire Prevention Officers' section of the California Fire Chiefs' Association.

Initially, the idea sounds great. In practice, decals have presented the fire service with more problems than solutions. Fire Departments generally feel a far better alternative to decals is installation of an approved smoke detector along with a family fire escape plan.

So, what's wrong with decals? An average family moves to a different home about every five years. When a home changes hands, room occupants also change and a decal may no longer designate a child or invalid. And, as a family increases and children grow up, there is often a shifting of inhabitants, again leaving the decal meaningless.

A more ominous disadvantage has been discovered by the police. Decals can be an invitation to a burglar to break in at that point since he would be unlikely to encounter strong physical opposition.

Rescue is of foremost concern to firefighters. Firefighters are trained to make a thorough and systematic search for those inside a burning building. They know that unless taught differently, some children hide from fire under beds, in closets, or behind furniture that may not even be in their room. And what about the beloved family pet? Most often the pet has intelligently left the premises as soon as it smells the endangering smoke. No one wishes for a firefighter or family member to endanger his or her life searching for a pet in a burning building, but firefighters have been seen carrying pets to safety when necessary.

Children stand a much greater chance of surviving a house fire if they have participated in a family fire escape plan. Parents need to teach their children to get out of the house when a smoke detector sounds. Parents may not be able to reach their children in the event of a fire, so the child's life may depend on parental instructions to avoid hallways filled with smoke and intense heat, and to escape through a window or other exit. The family should practice two escape routes and meeting outside at a previously designated spot away from the house.

The best protection against a fire is preventing it from happening in the first place. Getting rid of fire hazards can be a family project. Parents can warn children about the danger of playing with fire in any form, and set a good example by using care and common sense with flammable liquids and other potential hazards.

Most fire departments in Southern California offer home fire prevention programs. A fire Safety Educator will assist your family in planning an individualized home escape plan and in recognizing potential fire hazards. Neighborhood Watch groups may wish to invite a Fire Safety Educator to speak at a meeting about fire prevention and arson watch. Call your local fire department for more information on available home fire prevention programs. Your family's safety deserves more than a decal in the window. Loved ones deserve our time and attention to fire prevention.

Fire Safety Educator, Santa Monica Fire Department, Support Services Division. (213) 458-8668. Adopted from an article by Don Anderson printed in the Oregon State Fire Marshal Newsletter. Information approved by the Southern California Public Education Committee.

Teach Your Child

A MATCH IS A TOOL
(This information was prepared by the National Institute for Burn Medicine, and is sponsored by the Santa Monica Fire Department, Fire Prevention and Education.)s enforce a "don't touch" or "hands-off" policy. Keep matches, lighters, and other flammables out of reach and your home fire-proofed.

1. A Match is a Tool Each tool is designed for a specific purpose. A match has a specific function; to light candles, start a fire in the fireplace, light campfires, etc. A match is a tool, not a toy. Teach your children to use a match as a tool and provide opportunities to use a match in safe situations, as the beginning of fire safety.
    
   
   • Include the child in the conversation - don't lecture.
      
     
   • Ask the child to tell you about the tools in the house and the purpose of each tool. Ask you child to tell you about toys.
      
     
   • Ask for examples of when a fire is safely used, for example: candles, fireplace, barbeque, burning trash or leaves.
      
     
   • Outline the rules for match safety.
      
     
   • Ask the child to repeat the rules.
      
     
   • Arrange situations where the child can use matches as a tool. Have the child light birthday candles, candles on the dinner table, or light a fire in the fireplace. Arrange to take the child camping and demonstrate how to build a campfire or ask the scout leader to provide this demonstration.
      
     
2. Rules of Match Safety
    
   
   • Matches are used only with supervision from a parent or other adult.
      
     
   • Matches are used for a specific purpose such as helping parents light a candle, a campfire, a fire in the fireplace.
      
     
   • MATCHES ARE NEVER FOR PLAY.
      
     
   • Any matches or lighters that are found should be brought to the parent to be put in a safe place.
      
     
   • Report children who play with matches to parents or adults. This is done for the other child's safety - to protect him, not to get him in trouble.
      
     
   • If children want to light a match, ask parents to supervise.
      
     
3. Safe Way to Light a Match
    
   
   • Remove a match from the book or box and close the cover.
      
     
   • Hold the match near the middle - not too close to the match head, nor too close to the end. This is important because children frequently grab the match too close to the flame, drop the match when it ignites, and can catch their clothing or other objects on fire.
      
     
   • Hold the match and cover away from the body and clothing, over an ashtray or safe area. Strike the match away from the body (not toward the body).
      
     
   • Strike the match on its side, not flat, to keep it from bending.
      
     
   • When the match is lit, hold it level or upward, never downward so it burns toward your hand. Explain how fire burns up.
      
     
   • Safely dispose of spent materials in an ashtray or sand. Explain that the match should be cool or cold before placing in a wastebasket.
      
     
   • Return the unused matches to a safe place. Explain why matches should be kept out of reach of small children. Explain why matches should be kept in a cool, dry place.

HINTS

• Demonstrate the correct actions with the child.
   
  
• Praise the child often for correct actions.
   
  
• Repeat the demonstration as often as needed.
   
  
• Explain what could happen if it were done in the wrong way.
   
  
• While lighting the match, explain (don't lecture) safety features and safe use of matches.
   
  
• Plan to spend at least ten or fifteen minutes with the child at a time when you are relaxed and won't be interrupted.
   
  
• Plan to stop when the child demonstrates disinterest or boredom. But, some children will feign disinterest, so at least complete the demonstration and have them light one or two matches before stopping.
   
  
• Plan to demonstrate the correct method to light matches at least three times over a week.
   
  
• Have the child demonstrate and tell one adult the safety points about lighting a match.
   
  
• Praise your child's ability to other adults in the presence of the child.
   
  
• Reinforce the rules consistently.
   
  
• Provide opportunities to use a match as a tool.
   
  

Teaching Burn Safety to Kids

When your child demonstrates an interest in matches and/or fire, it is a useful time for the whole family to review fire safety.

The National Institute for Burn Medicine in cooperation with your local firefighters sponsors this program to counsel and educate children about matches and fire. This information has been prepared as a part of this program and prepares parents to help their children use a match as a tool, not as a toy.

Contact your local firefighters of the National Institute for Burn Medicine if you want additional material on fire safety for the home and family.

(Matthew P. Maley, of the Shriners' Burns Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, originated the idea and slogan and first developed the Match is a Tool program.)

Gasoline Safety

(from the National Fire Protection Association)

Move Your Can! (Ignition sources are everywhere.)

When invisible gasoline vapors explode, they can set a person on fire, burn up a car in seconds, or destroy a home. Gasoline is a main cause of serious burns to teenagers, especially boys. Move gasoline away from heat and fire. Here are some ignition sources:

Lighted cigarette or match
Hot lawnmower or other motor
Water heater or other pilot light appliance
Hot grill or other cooking fire
Wood burning stove or fireplace
Electrical equipment (may arc or spark)

Use, Storage, and Transportation of Gasoline

Gasoline is not for use to start or rekindle fires, or for clean up jobs.

For use to power small motors, gasoline belongs in a "safety can" stored in an outdoor shed away from sources of heat or fire - not in the house, garage, or basement.

If a small amount is carried home from the service station, an airtight un-vented can should be used so vapors won't escape into the car. The can should be no more than 3/4 full to permit liquid and vapor expansion.

This page was last modified on 07/30/2008