PARTNERS IN PREVENTION FAMILY ■ SCHOOL ■ FIRE SERVICE

Have Two Ways Out!

THANKS TO: 2A Have Two Ways Out! Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012

A message IFSA from: Illinois Fire The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is a non-profit organization that brings individuals and groups together who Safety Alliance share a common interest in fire safety. The IFSA sponsors several programs funded entirely through private SM donations. They include:

■ Summer Burn Camp (CAMP “I AM ME”)—for children ages 8 to 16 who are burn survivors. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) wants to thank you ■ Get Fired Up About Fire Safety—a fire prevention/safety curriculum for schools. An interactive CD version is for taking the time to read this special Fire Safety and Burn available in English and Spanish. Prevention section of the Chicago Sun-Times. This section is ■ Farm/Rural/Wildland Fire and Burn Prevention Guide-available free of charge. appropriate for children and adults alike, and contains puzzles, ■ A Momentary Touch That Will Last a Lifetime!—“A Sparkler Story” DVD available free of charge depicting games and learning activities. Adult involvement with the kids the effects caused by a sparkler burn. on these activities will greatly enhance the ultimate goal and ■ Bath Buddy Thermometers—distributed to every hospital’s newborn ward in Illinois for new parents. effectiveness of this year’s National Fire Prevention Theme, ■ Fireworks Committee—helps draft legislation and laws in Illinois. “Have Two Ways Out”. Make the investment of time with your ■ Home Fire and Burn Prevention Guide—available free of charge. kids and every member of your family, neighbors and friends to ■ Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program: a standardized statewide program to provide education/ talk about the information in this section. Treat it as if their life intervention and referrals if warranted for the children and families of Illinois to reduce the number of fire depends on it! related activities by juveniles. For more information, please contact the IFSA at (800) 634-0911 or [email protected]. I hope you find this special section, now in its thirteenth year, ■ Fire Safety and Burn Prevention for Older Adults–fire and life safety information for older adults, whether they informative and educational. It is a great opportunity to share live independently or in a residential facility. The program includes these topics: Smoking, Kitchen Safety, an educational experience that is potentially lifesaving. Heating, Smoke Alarms, Escape Plans, Electricity, In Case of Fire, Burn Care, Candles, and Fire Safety Checklist.

If you know a young burn survivor who would like information about Burn Camp “I AM ME”, or if you or your organization is interested in helping fund IFSA programs, please contact the IFSA at (800) 634-0911, or visit Jim Saletta www.ifsa.org. President Illinois Fire Safety Alliance THANKS TO: In the News James Saletta Locate an article in your e-edition newspaper about a home fire. Use complete President, IFSA sentences to answer as many of the following questions as you can about your Fire Chief, Huntley WEB SITES article on a separate piece of paper. Mary Werderitch American Burn Association: www.ameriburn.org Executive Director, IFSA 1. Why did the fire start? American Red Cross: www.il-redcross.org Terry Pluta OBJECTIVE: Vice-President, IFSA Identifying the cause and 2. Where did the fire start? Chicago Fire Department: www.ci.chi.il.us Dottie Ahbe 3. What type of injuries or property Director, IFSA effect of a fire. Chicago Sun-Times: www.suntimes.com damage resulted from the fire? Deborah Keegan ComEd: www.exeloncorp.com Special Sections, SUMMARY: 4. Who was injured in the fire? Chicago Sun-Times Realizing the 5Ws (Who, 5. When did the fire start? Illinois Electric Council: www.safeelectricity.org Mike Perrone Director, Distribution, What, Why, When, Where) 6. Were there working smoke alarms Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov Chicago Sun-Times will increase the awareness in the home? Sandy Mather 7. Explain at least two ways the fire could Illinois Fire Inspectors Association: Sr. Manager, and understanding of what www.illinoisfireinspectors.org Circulation Sales and Marketing, causes a fire. have been prevented. Chicago Sun-Times Illinois Fire Safety Alliance: www.ifsa.org School Fire Drills Write the correct word on each line. Illinois Fire Service Institute: www.fsi.uiuc.edu 1. We should always ______during a fire drill. Illinois Safety Council: www.ilsafetycouncil.org (run — skip — walk) OBJECTIVE: National Fire Protection Association: www.nfpa.org 2. We should be ______during a fire drill. Participate in fire drills at school. (noisy — quiet — loud) National Fire Sprinkler Association: www.nfsa.org 3. When we get outside the school, we should go to our SUMMARY: ______. National Safe Kids Campaign: www.safekids.org Fire drills are important (meeting place — friend’s house — house) Survive Alive House: www.survivealivehouse.com procedures that each student must 4. When the school fire alarm sounds, we should listen to our U.S. Fire Administration — practice in order to be ready in the ______. (friends — strangers — teachers) Federal Emergency Management Agency: event of a fire. www.usfa.fema.gov

5. We should have a school fire drill once a ______.

1. walk, 2. quiet, 3. meeting place, 4. teachers, 5. month 5. teachers, 4. place, meeting 3. quiet, 2. walk, 1. Answers: (week — month — year) Underwriters Laboratories: www.ul.com Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012 Have Two Ways Out! 3A

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN? OBJECTIVE: Develop a home escape plan.

SUMMARY: BEDROOM BEDROOM BEDROOM Families need to plan and practice what to do in the event of a fire, and post their plan where they can all see it. It’s your family’s turn! LIVING With your family, draw a map of your home. ROOM KITCHEN FAMILY ROOM Mark the windows, doors, and smoke alarms. Next, show two ways out of each room. Be sure to show your meeting place. Put the fire MEETING PLACE department’s phone number on your map. Test Escape Route your smoke alarms and then practice your plan! Look at the house floor plan above and answer the following: 1. How many ways can you get out of each room? ______Include in your escape plan: 2. Label the ways out of each room with different colored arrows. 1. Windows, doors, stairs and hallways. 3. If there is a fire, where should you be when you call the fire department? ______2. Two ways out of every room. 3. More than one escape route 4. Where is the meeting place? ______from your house. 5. Where should the smoke alarms be placed? ______4. Location of all smoke alarms. 5. Outside meeting places. Practice makes perfect. Stay Low and Go Include all family members in your home fire drill and Study the picture and read the follow these important steps: statements below it. Fill in each blank using a word from the list. ■ Know what your smoke alarm sounds like. ■ Have everyone lie down on their bed with their doors Below closed. Chimney ■ Alert everyone. (whistle/shout) ■ Roll out of bed. Alarm ■ Go to the door. Stay below the smoke. Feel the door Rises with the back of your hand before opening it. ■ If the door is cool, hold your body against the door Smoke and carefully open it to look for fire or smoke on the Suffocated other side. ■ If there is no smoke, exit quickly. But remember, if 1.______from a fire several rooms away can kill you. Wake the door is hot or you see fire and smoke, 2. Smoke won’t ______you, it will kill you first. use a second way out. 3. Victims are ______by smoke loaded with poisonous gases before the fire reaches them. ■ Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed. 4. Smoke and fire can travel up a stairway as if it were a ______. ■ Everyone should meet at your safe meeting place 5. If trapped in smoke, get ______the smoke and quickly get to safety. outside. 6. There should be at least one smoke ______on every level of your home. ■ Pretend to call 9-1-1 or the fire department from a

7. It is easier to breathe air near the floor because heat and smoke ______. safe place.

1. smoke, 2. wake, 3. suffocated, 4. chimney, 5. below, 6. alarm, 7. rises 7. alarm, 6. below, 5. chimney, 4. suffocated, 3. wake, 2. smoke, 1. Answers: Answers: ■ Tell the fire department that everyone is out. 4A Have Two Ways Out! Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012

CALCULATE THE TOTAL SQUARE FEET OF THE HOME USING THESE HOME SAFETY MAKEOVER DIMENSIONS: Kitchen: 9’ x 12’ Living room: 15’ x 12’ Hallway 1: 24’ x 3’ This home needs a make- over—a safety makeover, Master bedroom: 10’ x 12’ that is! A lot of families Bedroom: 8’ x 12’ renovate their homes to Bathroom: 6’ x 6’ increase space, value, or Closet: 2’ x 6’ style. In this activity, you’ll Hallway 2:4’ x 6’ examine this floor plan and Family room: 10’ x 12’ give the home a fire safety makeover! There are 15 things wrong or missing, HOME FIRE and each can be a fire SAFETY KEY: hazard. See if you can spot them all and write them on a separate piece of paper. Then use the letter key below to install home safety equipment that will “make

over” the apartment.

Total sq. ft/: 768 square feet square 768 ft/: sq. Total

Home safety extra! safety Home

the home exit door exit home the

at located be should extinguisher fire room: living 15.

windows)

(missing out way only the is door room: family 14.

13. family room: overloaded electrical outlet electrical overloaded room: family 13.

and other clutter other and

clothes, toys, bicycle, by blocked 1: hallway 12.

11. closet: fire escape ladder should be under a bed a under be should ladder escape fire closet: 11.

10. bedroom: window blocked by furniture by blocked window bedroom: 10.

master bedroom: no smoke alarm smoke no bedroom: master 9.

heater

master bedroom: blankets too close to space space to close too blankets bedroom: master 8.

living room: smoke alarm too close to window to close too alarm smoke room: living 7.

nearby papers nearby

living room: unattended candles burning with with burning candles unattended room: living 6.

glass (TG) near fireplace (missing) fireplace near (TG) glass

living room: metal screen (MS) or tempered tempered or (MS) screen metal room: living 5.

might be ignored be might

HOME SAFETY EXTRA:

kitchen: cooking can cause false smoke alarms that that alarms smoke false cause can cooking kitchen: 4.

kitchen: flammable dish cloth is too close to stove to close too is cloth dish flammable kitchen: Interview a firefighter! Call the non-emergency number of your fire department and ask to conduct an 3.

kitchen: unattended cooking on a stove a on cooking unattended kitchen:

interview. Find out the top five things students should know about fire dangers, and share the important 2.

kitchen: matches and lighter not stored properly stored not lighter and matches kitchen:

points on the classroom bulletin board. Invite the firefighter to join the class for a discussion. 1. Answers: Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012 Have Two Ways Out! 5A HOME FIRE SAFETY TIPS OBJECTIVE: ■ Test smoke alarms at least once a month and whenever you return from vacations. Identify home fire safety hazards ■ Don’t investigate or fight a fire—just get to safety! and develop a home escape plan. ■ Make sure smoke alarms are on every level of your home and inside or near every sleeping area. ■ Create a family escape plan and practice it at least twice a year. SUMMARY: ■ Make sure adults are assigned to wake up children and assist others that need help escaping. Families need to plan and practice ■ Determine two escape routes to take from each room. what to do in the event of a fire, ■ Never leave cooking food, burning candles, or other ignited materials unattended. and post their plan where they can ■ Keep anything that can catch fire away from heat sources (e.g., keep space heaters three feet all see it. away from sofas and curtains). ■ Be sure that security bars on the doors and windows can be opened easily from inside the room to allow a safe exit from a window. ■ Check that the lock to any outside doors can be opened from the inside without a key so that you can get out quickly. REPORTINGREPORTING AA FIREFIRE GET OUT OF THE BURNING BUILDING THEN:

1. Go to the nearest phone and dial: ______(Fire Department Number) Get Out! SPEAK SLOWLY AND CLEARLY. Say: Find 4 ways to 2. My name is: ______escape this burning (Name of Caller) building. 3. I want to report a fire at: Do you know 2 ______ways out of your (Location) house? 4. The phone number I am calling from is: ______

PUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PHONE NUMBER ON EVERY PHONE.

Three minutes or less. That’s all the time you may have to TIMELINE OF A FIRE escape a fire in your home. Don’t wait! From 0-30 seconds: One minute: home fire sprinkler activates; fire is Between nine-ten minutes: fire smoke alarm goes off controlled or extinguished– flashover prevented equipment is set up MINUTES

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Between two and three Three minutes: firefighters are dispatched. Between four and nine minutes: Ten minutes and beyond: fire minutes: fire is reported Without sprinklers, flashover can occur. firefighters respond is extinguished 6A Have Two Ways Out! Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012

OBJECTIVE: LEAVE THEM ALONE Understand that sparklers are dangerous. Did you know that sparklers can burn at 1800 degrees? Understand that there should be a working smoke alarm in What do you think? [answer True or False] every bedroom and on every level of your home. 1. Matches can start a fire. _____ 4. Matches can start clothes on fire. _____ SUMMARY: 2. Fire can burn your skin. _____ 5. If it requires a match, it’s not safe. _____ Sparklers can burn at up to 1800 degrees. 3. Burns can give you scars that never 6. Fireworks are NOT toys. Let Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play go away and can hurt for many years. _____

professionals handle them. _____ a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. All are true. are All Answers: ARE THE FIRE Smoke Alarms Never Sleep! TETRAHEDRON Study the pictures and read the statements about smoke alarms. Put a T or F on the blank next to each statement. Draw a line from each statement REALLY SAFE? to the matching picture. Sparklers Burn _____ 1. A smoke alarm should at up to a. be tested once a month. f.

_____ 2. Smoke alarm batteries 1,800° should be replaced every fifteen What is fire? F years. Fire, also called combustion, is a g. chemical reaction between two gases– Aluminum Melts at oxygen and vapors from burning _____ 3. A smoke alarm is b. fuels, such as gasoline, propane, or 1,200° needed on every level of a house. wood. Fire occurs when there is F enough heat to change the fuel from a _____ 4. It is not important to solid to a gas. When a gas reaches clean smoke alarms regularly. the right temperature, its molecules Glass Melts at (tiny particles that make up a substance) break apart and atoms c. _____ 5. Smoke alarms should be h. (even smaller particles) are released. 900°F placed near heating vents. These atoms combine with oxygen in the air through a process called _____ 6. Smoke alarms should oxidation. Fire is rapid oxidation with the production of heat and light. Wood Burns at have a recognized testing label on them. i. d. How does fire form? 575° To get started, a fire needs: fuel, F _____ 7. There should be a oxygen, and heat. A chemical chain smoke alarm in the kitchen of reaction that is the result of the fuel Cakes Bake at every house. j. combining with the oxygen keeps the fire going by generating new heat. _____ 8. Early warning of a fire Combustible fuels can be in different 350° can save lives. states of matter–solid (wood), liquid F (gasoline), or gas (propane)–when e. they burn. A fire is extinguished by _____ 9. The smell of smoke will removing one of the components of always wake you up. the fire tetrahedron. For instance, Matches Burn at water reduces and removes heat from _____ 10. The air closest to the a fire, which stops the production of

j combustible vapors. The carbon floor is the safest to breathe 325° dioxide in a fire extinguisher reduces F T-c 1. 10. T-b 10. during a fire. F-i2. T-f3. F-d4. F-h5. T-a6. 7. F - T-e8. F-g9. oxygen and smothers the fire. Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012 Have Two Ways Out! 7A

OBJECTIVE: EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES Understand that the installation of both smoke alarms Sprinklers are the single most effective way to prevent fire-related deaths. Combined with smoke alarms, the risk and fire sprinklers in a home can reduce the risk of of death in a home fire is cut by 82%. dying in a fire by 82%. Demonstrate the ability to properly report a fire or an emergency. Sprinklers can also help extinguish a fire or keep it from spreading until the fire department arrives. Sprinkler systems work immediately to reduce the danger and prevent fast developing fires of intense heat that are SUMMARY: capable of trapping and killing those in a home. 80% of all fire deaths occur in the home. The single ■ Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. most effective way to prevent fire-related deaths in the home is the installation of residential fire sprinklers. ■ Fire hoses, on average, use more than 15 times the water that sprinklers do to contain a fire. Smart thinking could save lives, reduce property loss ■ The odds of accidental activation of sprinklers are 1 in 16 million. and minimize injuries.

Reality: Each sprinkler protects an area beneath it. When heated by Fire Sprinkler Myths fire, the sprinkler above the area with the fire activates. Only the Match the Myth with the Reality. sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. The other sprinklers, unheated by fire, do not activate. Myth #1 The water damage from Ninety percent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinklers is worse than a fire. sprinkler. Myth #2 Sprinklers go off accidentally, Reality: The truth is, a sprinkler will control a fire with a tiny causing unnecessary water fraction of the water used by fire department hoses because a damage. sprinkler activates during the early stages of a fire before the fire department can arrive. Automatic sprinkler systems spray water Myth #3 When one sprinkler goes off, only in the immediate area of the fire, usually with just one they all go off. sprinkler operating. As a result, the fire is kept from spreading, and widespread water damage is avoided. Myth #4 Smoke sets off a sprinkler. Reality: Sprinklers activate when they are heated by fire, not by Myth #5 Home fire sprinklers are smoke. expensive.

Reality: Nationally, on average, home fire sprinkler systems add

Myth 6 goes to Reality 5 Reality to goes 6 Myth 1% to 1.5% of the total building cost in new construction. Not only Sprinkler Smarts

4 goes to Reality 1, Myth 5 goes to Reality 4, 4, Reality to goes 5 Myth 1, Reality to goes 4 do fire sprinkler systems save lives, they reduce property loss and

to Reality 6, Myth 3 goes to Reality 2, Myth Myth 2, Reality to goes 3 Myth 6, Reality to can even help cut homeowner insurance premiums. They save fire ■ Sam is pointing to a sprinkler head.

Myth 1 goes to Reality 3, Myth 2 goes goes 2 Myth 3, Reality to goes 1 Myth Answers: department resources for other uses as well. Reality: The odds are 1 in 16 million per year that a sprinkler will ■ Fire sprinklers are installed in the accidentally discharge because of a manufacturing defect. One study ceiling or high on a wall. concluded that sprinkler accidents are generally less likely and less severe than mishaps involving standard home plumbing systems. And, ■ despite the “sight gags” on television sit-coms, cigarette smoke is not The heat from a fire, not smoke, How Home Fire enough to trigger sprinkler operation. Home fire sprinklers are at least will activate a sprinkler head. Sprinklers Work as reliable as home plumbing systems.

A typical home fire sprinkler covers a 12’x 12’ area. Safety Search Find and circle the 12 fire safety words in the puzzle OUT and then write them on the lines. Liquid-filled bulb BURN bursts at MEETING 1. If your clothes catch on fire, ______, ______, 135°-165°F ROLL and ______. Pipe (connected to PLAN 2. Have a ______place outside your home. water supply) STOP SMOKE 3. Get ______in ______. Plug TWO 4. Put ______water on a ______. (frees DROP water) 5. Know your ______department phone number. LOW COOL 6. Know ______ways ______. FIRE 7. Have a fire escape ______. Sprinker Cover plate (falls to the

floor and exposes the

1. stop, drop, roll, 2. meeting, 3. low, smoke, 4. cool, burn, 5. fire, 6. two, out, 7. plan 7. out, two, 6. fire, 5. burn, cool, 4. smoke, low, 3. meeting, 2. roll, drop, stop, 1. spray sprinkler.) Answers: 8A Have Two Ways Out! Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, October 11, 2012 AROUND THE HOUSE & HOME Don’t turn your back on fire safety! SPRINKLERS CANDLES How do sprinklers work? Fire sprinklers are individually Here are a few rules and precautions for adults to remember when CHECKLIST heat-activated and connected to a network of pipes with using candles: water under pressure. When the heat of the fire rises to a ■ Never allow children to light a candle. Check YES or NO for each question. Any NO ■ temperature, usually between 135 to 175 degrees, the Do NOT allow children to have a candle lit in their room. answer can be a hazard. ■ Keep candles away from hair and clothing. sprinkler will automatically turn on over the fire. ■ Use non-flammable candleholders that won’t tip over and can Y N Sprinklers provide the ultimate protection from fire for catch dripping candle wax. Place candleholders on a flat sturdy 1. Is there at least one smoke alarm in every bedroom your property and your family. They go to work surface. and on each level of your home? ❑ ❑ immediately to reduce the danger. Sprinklers can ■ Never place candles in windows where blinds and curtains 2. Do you and your family know what your smoke ❑ ❑ extinguish residential fires in less than one minute. can catch fire. alarm or building fire alarm sounds like? Sprinklers prevent fast developing fires of intense heat, ■ Do not carry a lit candle into a closet or a small space. 3. Are your smoke alarms regularly tested and batteries changed regularly? ❑ ❑ allowing you to escape from the fire. ■ Never leave a burning candle alone. Double-check all candles to 4. Is there a fire extinguisher in your home and do make sure they have been extinguished. Today’s technology has helped to conceal sprinklers you and your family know how to use it? ❑ ❑ ■ Do not extinguish a candle with water. Water can cause the hot behind ceiling plates and out of sight until needed. They 5. Does your family have a fire escape plan posted that wax to spatter and break candle containers. are available in a wide range of sizes and colors to blend shows all the exits from your house or apartment? ❑ ❑ ■ The correct way to extinguish a candle is with a candle snuffer. into the background of almost any room. 6. Have you and your family held a fire drill at home to make sure everyone knows how to escape if you had to? ❑ ❑ OLDER ADULTS SPECIAL NEEDS 7. Does everyone know two ways out of every room Don’t forget to make sure grandma and grandpa or an elderly in your home? ❑ ❑ There are those who may have broken a leg or are on friend or neighbor has a fire safety plan of their own. Older adults 8. Do you and your family know how to call the fire crutches, or who have a permanent disability, who should with physical limitations need to pay special attention to fire safety. department in case of an emergency? ❑ ❑ take certain fire safety precautions: Here are a few tips: Here are a few tips for you to review with someone you know: 9. Have all the windows in your house been checked to ■ Try to choose an apartment or condominium located ■ Install smoke alarms in all sleeping areas and on every level be sure that they open easily? ❑ ❑ near an exit. of the home. 10. Do all smokers at home know never to smoke in bed? ❑ ❑ ■ If you have a two-story unit, arrange to sleep on the ■ Test smoke alarms regularly. 11. Are ashtrays large, with holders for cigarettes in the center? ❑ ❑ ■ first floor. People with physical limitations should install special devices such 12. Do you promise never to play with matches and tell ❑ ❑ ■ Have a ramp constructed near emergency exits if as smoke alarms with a vibrating pad, flashing light or a fan that little brothers and sisters to do the same? can be activated for the hard of hearing or the visually impaired. 13. Are all electrical cords in good condition? ❑ ❑ possible. ■ Assist with a plan and practice an escape route around their 14. Are extension cords kept out from under rugs, carpets, ■ Keep a phone by your bed. abilities. Plan two ways out of every room. Check windows and and off nails and pipes? ❑ ❑ ■ Install smoke alarms. For those who are hearing- doors to make sure they open easily. 15. Is only one appliance or device plugged into an impaired, purchase special smoke alarms with strobe ■ Take extra precaution around the stove. If a pan catches fire, slide extension cord? ❑ ❑ lights or a vibrator alert for a fire. a lid over it and turn off the burner. 16. Is there a tight-fitting screen in front of the fireplace? ❑ ❑ ■ Plan and practice your escape around your abilities. ■ Heaters should be at least three feet from anything that can catch 17. Is the chimney cleaned each year? ❑ ❑ Know at least two ways out of every room. on fire. Unplug heater when you have finished using it. 18. Are ashes removed from the fireplace or wood heater in metal containers? ❑ ❑ ■ Make sure your address is clearly marked so ■ Put cigarettes and cigars in large, deep ashtrays. Don’t smoke in 19. Is your furnace cleaned each year? ❑ ❑ firefighters can see it from the street. bed. ■ Teach stop, drop and roll. 20. Are curtains and clothing kept away from stoves ■ Contact your local fire department and make them ❑ ❑ ■ Know who to call. It may be 911 or the fire department’s and heaters? aware of your special needs. They may also offer 21. Is there proper clearance between wood heaters emergency number. Make sure they know how to stay on the and their vents and combustible walls? ❑ ❑ suggestions to your escape plan. phone until they are told to hang up. 22. Are spaces around water heaters and furnaces free from combustible materials and flammable liquids? ❑ ❑ 23. Are your closets, attic, basement and utility room clear of newspapers, old rags and trash that could easily burn? ❑ ❑ IN THE COUNTRY 24. Are areas outside your house clear of trash, high weeds, ❑ ❑ Rural fire safety is often more challenging than city fire safety. Another challenge is a limited water supply, and wood or rubbish, etc? 25. Are gasoline and other flammable liquids kept in brush near a home also can fuel fires. proper containers? ❑ ❑ Here are a few fire safety tips to help prevent fires in the rural areas or on farms: 26. Are fuses or circuit breakers appropriate for your home? ❑ ❑ ■ Combustible materials should be stored in a separate building from animals. ■ 27. Does everyone in your family know the telephone number Do not allow smoking in barns or near combustible materials or flammable liquids. of the fire department? ❑ ❑ ■ Do not refuel engines inside a building or while the engine is still hot or running. 28. Does everyone in your family know the safe meeting ■ Place firewood at least 30 feet away from all buildings. place outside in case of fire? ❑ ❑ ■ Keep tree limbs away from overhead power lines. 29. Does your family know how to get out quickly and stay ■ Avoid parking cars or trucks in grass or leaves. out of a burning building? ❑ ❑ ■ Beware of sparks from chain saws, welding torches and other equipment. 30. Does everyone in your family know to look for the fire ■ If possible, make sure fire hydrants and ponds are accessible to the fire department. exits when they are in a public building? ❑ ❑ ■ Burning yard waste is a fire hazard. Check with your local fire department on permits and restrictions. SOURCE: “Get Fired Up About Fire Safety” written by Dottie Ahbe and THANKS TO: Terry Pluta. For more information call the IFSA at (800) 634-0911.

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ILLINOIS FIRE SAFETY ALLIANCE SM

DISCLAIMER: This educational supplement is designed to provide the public with general information on fire safety. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, the Chicago Sun-Times and co-sponsors of the section assume no liability for any actions taken by persons based on the information contained within. No part of this educational supplement may be reproduced or distributed outside of the State of Illinois without the express written permission of both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance.