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 8-14 is Fire Prevention Week

Safe Kids Kansas offers fire safety tips

In the five-year period 2000-2004, 41 Kansas children ages 14 and under died in residential fires, and another 272 were hospitalized. October 8-14 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 89 percent of all fire-related deaths to Kansas children 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 nationwide while trying to escape from fires. ” Only one out of four families say they have developed and practiced a fire escape plan.

“Plan two ways out of every room and practice an escape plan monthly when you test your smoke alarm,” says Stegelman. “Designate a safe place to meet outside in the event of a fire emergency. Teach children never to go back into a burning building, even for a pet or favorite toy. Call the fire department from a neighbor’s home or a cell phone outside.”

Home fires are most often caused by cooking equipment, especially by unattended cooking. “ Keep children away from cooking and heating appliances. Never leave the kitchen while you are cooking,” says Stegelman. The theme of Fire Prevention Week 2006, as proclaimed by the National Fire Protection Association and the President of the United States, is “Prevent Cooking Fires — Watch What You Heat .” Between 1999-2002, an average of 290 people were killed and 4,380 injured each year in fires involving cooking equipment, according to the NFPA.

For details, visit www.nfpa.org.

Most fire-related fatalities are caused by smoke inhalation. “ A working smoke alarm can provide your family enough time to safely exit and cuts your chances of dying in a fire by nearly half,” says Stegelman. “Put a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Test the alarm every month and change the batteries twice a year.” An easy way to remember is to change the batteries when you change your clocks to and from daylight saving time. (Smoke alarms are also available with 10-year lithium batteries.) It is recommended that you replace smoke alarms every ten years.

Safe Kids Kansas also reminds parents:

• Keep matches, lighters, candles, gasoline 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.
• Place space heaters at least 3 feet from curtains, papers, furniture and other flammable materials. Make sure heaters are stable, and use protective coverings.

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, Coffey, 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, Emporia, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area and the Metro Kansas City Area. Safe Kids Kansas is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide , a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury .