A reminder from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office
information released, pixabay image by FeeLoona
It is important to have a plan when there are children in your home, because during emergencies children sometimes need help getting out of the house. Their ability to escape may be dependent on other occupants. Some children are curious about fire, but there are simple steps you can take to keep you and the people you love safe from fire and burns.
Although the relative risk of children dying in a fire is less that of the general population, the fire service must continue its vital role in teaching parents and caregivers about how to protect kids from fire.
According to a report done by the US Fire Administration, in 2020, the relative risk of dying in a fire for children fourteen and under was 70 percent less than that of the general public.
In 2022, Washington State reported three children under to age of ten died in fires and represented 3.7 percent of the state’s fatalities that year.
The SFMO offers the following messages for parents and caregivers to give to preschoolers:
- Firefighters are community helpers – They wear special clothes and equipment to help them stay safe from smoke and fire. Do not be afraid of firefighters even though their equipment can look and sound scary.
- When you hear a smoke alarm, get outside, and stay outside – A smoke alarm will let you know if there is a fire in the home and make a loud “beep,” beep, beep” sound if there is smoke. Get outside until a grown-up says it is safe to go back inside. Practice a fire drill with your family using sound from your smoke alarm.
- Stay away from hot things – Do not touch matches or lighters, or any other items that can be hot, as they are dangerous and can be hot. Walk-away and tell a grown-up if they see them.
For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 596-3929.
