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/