SAFE KIDS GET ALARMED
The 8th Annual Missouri Valley Fire, Burn and Life Safety Education Conference, "Blast Off to
the Future of Fire Safety," is being held June 19-22 at the Grand Prairie Hotel & Convention Center in
Hutchinson, KS. For more information, visit the Web site for the conference at www.mvpubed.com.
Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute |
Kansas' youngest children are at the greatest
risk of fire death. They do not have a strong perception of danger,
have less control of their environment, and have a limited ability
to react promptly and properly to a fire. 56% of Kansas child deaths
due to unintentional fire/flame injuries are age 0-4. A working
smoke alarm cuts your chances of dying in a fire by half. The
Kansas Smoke Alarm Statute, enacted in July 1998, requires that
all new and existing single-family residences have a working smoke
alarm on each level. For more details on the Act visit http://www.kansas.gov/firemarshal/.
The
GET ALARMED program is designed to increase the number of Kansas
homes with young children that are equipped with working smoke
alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Participating communities
distribute and install alarms and replacement batteries in
low-income homes. A discount program for smoke alarms and carbon
monoxide alarms is available to community groups through a partnership
with First Alert. If you would like to receive an order form
for discount alarms, contact the Coalition at jstegelm@kdhe.state.ks.us,
or 785-296-1223.
Over
15,800 alarms have been distributed since implementation of
the Safe Kids Kansas GET ALARMED program. Community action kits
are distributed to interested community groups and individuals
that contain helpful tips and media resources for promoting smoke
alarm use and maintenance in your community. Targeted materials
have also been developed for realtors, landlords, tenants and
new homeowners. To find out more about these materials contact jstegelm@kdhe.state.ks.us,
or 785-296-1223.
Limited funding is available
to communities to implement smoke alarm installation programs.
If your community is interested in applying, contact KFIPP (Kansas
Fire Injury Prevention Program) at www.kdheks.gov/kfipp/ , or Marilee Brown at 785-368-7290 mbrown@kdhe.state.ks.us.
Juvenile Firesetting -
The Kansas State Fire Marshal's Youth
Programs addresses
the problem of fires set by juveniles. The program is comprised
of two main program areas; Intervention (Y-FIRE) and Prevention
(Education).
Tips for parents:
• Install
working smoke alarms on each level of the home, and test them
monthly. Replace batteries at least once a year. Replace smoke
alarms every 10 years. The chance of dying in a residential
fire is cut in half when a working smoke alarm is present.
• Plan
and practice with your children two escape routes out of the house
and each room. Make sure your children know the sound of your smoke
alarm. Have a home fire drill to prepare your children. An unprepared
child may attempt to hide from the fire instead of leaving immediately.
Design a home escape plan for your family.
• Designate
an outside meeting place for your family. Teach everyone in your
household that once they are out, they must stay out until firefighters
say it is safe to go back inside. Children should be reminded
not to stop or return for anything such as a toy. A call to 9-1-1
should be placed after leaving the house.
Just for Kids:
www.nfpa.org/ |
www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/ |