Author: Katie Ransohoff, High School student writer

Did you know that more than 100,000 fires each year are started by kids? This article will teach you how to prevent fires, and how to be safe if one happens.

An emergency situation is one where someone is hurt or could get hurt, something is not under control, or something seems dangerous. It's a good idea to know what to do before an emergency happens, by talking with your parents or reading about what to do.

You should know your local emergency phone number to reach the fire department, police and ambulance. In most areas in the United States, the emergency number is 911, but check with your parents. You should also have access to emergency numbers for your parents, doctors and other important people by your phone(s) and other places where people will see them, such as your refrigerator.

Sections:

• You should know
• What to do if there's a fire
• If you are trapped and escape is not possible
• If your clothes catch on fire
• How to prevent fires
• Sources

You should know

• All of the ways to exit a room (windows, doors)
  
• All of the ways to exit your house or apartment
  
• Where to find fire extinguishers and ladders
  
• How to open a window if you need to escape through it
  
• Your local emergency number (but don't stop to call it -- leave the fire area immediately, then call at a neighbor's house or on a cell phone)
  
• Where you and your family will meet if you have to escape - such as across the street, by your mailbox, etc.

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What to do if there's a fire

• Check where the fire is coming from. If there is smoke from coming under a door, do not open it.
  
• Even if you don't see smoke, there could still be fire on the other side. Feel the door and doorknob with the back of your hand to see if it is warm or hot. If it is don't open it, and escape through another exit.
  
• If the door and doorknob are not hot, slowly open the door. If you see smoke or fire, follow the instructions that are under "If you are trapped and escape is not possible." LINK
  
• If you can escape through the door, stay very low to the ground -- crawl on your knees and hands (like a baby) as fast as you can until you can escape. Don't walk. Smoke rises, so you're more likely to inhale smoke if you are higher up

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If you are trapped and escape is not possible

• Block the cracks in the door with towels, blankets or clothes so smoke doesn't come in.
  
• Open a window and try to make sure people can see you from it.
  
• If you have water, wet a shirt or pillowcase and cover your mouth and nose so you don't breathe in too much smoke.

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If your clothes catch on fire

• STOP, DROP AND ROLL
  
• This means that you should stop what you're doing, drop to the floor and roll around to put out the flames that are on you

Once you have left your house safely, go to the pre-arranged meeting spot. Wait for your other family members or friends. Don't go back once you have left. It is much safer to wait.
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How to prevent fires

• Never play around with matches, candles or lighters -- these are not toys
  
• Don't go too close to burning candles
  
• Don't plug too many things into a socket -- have your parents use a surge protector
  
• Get help if you are using a stove, oven, microwave, toaster or another appliance from your kitchen (link to kitchen safety)
  
• Get help from an adult if you need to use fire for a project or experiment
  
• Keep anything flammable away from the fireplace or heater

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Sources

• Rutherford, Kim. "When It's Just You in an Emergency." Available Online. Accessed August 18, 2004


• "What to do in a Fire" Available Online. Accessed August 18, 2004


• United States Fire Administration "Kids Page." Available Online. Accessed August 18, 2004

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