1000 SW Jackson Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8649 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

John Halbran
Kansas Safety Belt
Education Office

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

October 9-15 is Fire Prevention Week

Safe Kids Kansas offers fire safety tips

Nationwide, every year, nearly 40,000 children ages 14 and under are injured in residential fires, and more than 500 die. October 9-15 is Fire Prevention Week, observed every year since 1922 around the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Safe Kids Kansas reminds parents and caregivers that approximately 80 percent of all fire-related deaths and injuries occur in the home.

"Fire is especially dangerous to young children, ages 5 and under. They don't recognize the danger and don't know how to react," says Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator. "Every year, dozens of children die while trying to escape from fires." Only one out of four families say they have developed and practiced a fire escape plan.

"Plan and practice several fire escape routes from each room of the home, and identify safe outside meeting places," says Stegelman. "Teach children never to go back into a burning building, and to call the fire department from either a neighbor's home or a cell phone outside the home."

Most fire-related fatalities are caused by smoke inhalation. "A working smoke alarm cuts your chances of dying in a fire by about 50 percent," says Stegelman. "Put a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Be sure to test them every month and change the batteries twice a year." During October, local Safe Kids organizations in Kansas will be distributing and installing more than 300 smoke alarms with a 10-year lithium battery.

"Also consider having a home sprinkler system installed. The combination of smoke alarms and sprinklers can reduce your chances of dying in a fire by 82 percent," says Stegelman.

Safe Kids Kansas also reminds parents:

• Keep matches, candles, gasoline, lighters and all other flammable materials locked away and out of children's reach.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Place candles in a safe location away from combustible materials and where children or pets cannot tip them over.
• Keep children away from cooking and heating appliances. Never leave the kitchen while you are cooking.
• Place space heaters at least 3 feet from curtains, papers, furniture and other flammable materials. Make sure heaters are stable, and use protective coverings.

In 2003, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 402,000 residential fires, or one every 79 seconds. Home fires are most often caused by cooking equipment; however, more children die in fires caused by children playing with matches or lighters and fires caused by tobacco products.

The theme of Fire Prevention Week 2005, as proclaimed by the National Fire Protection Association and Governor Sebelius, is "Use Candles with Care: When you go out, blow out!" In Kansas during the last five years, candles started 673 home fires resulting in 6 deaths and 28 injuries. For details, visit www.firepreventionweek.org. For more information about fire safety for children and families, visit www.safekids.org.

Safe Kids Kansas, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marion, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson and Woodson Counties, as well as the cities of Chanute, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area and the Metro Kansas City Area. Safe Kids Kansas a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury.

www.kansassafekids.org