The Hartford s Junior Fire Marshal Program www.thehartford.com/jfm BE FIRE SAFE EDUCATORS GUIDE Teaching Fire Safety and Prevention
TEACHING FIRE SAFETY: INTRODUCTION TO THE EDUCATORS GUIDE AND THE JUNIOR FIRE MARSHAL PROGRAM Thank you for your commitment to teaching fire safety to our nation s children. Education plays an important role in reducing the number of fire-related injuries and deaths. The Hartford s Junior Fire Marshal program empowers children by giving them the tools they need to take an active role in reducing risk in their homes and communities. This guide is organized into two sections. The first, Fire Safety: Causes and Prevention, identifies common fire risks, such as smoking and cooking, and offers strategies for reducing those risks. The second section, Fire Safety: Preparing for and Reacting to an Emergency, provides children with information on what to do if they are confronted by a hazardous situation. Each lesson includes an objective, supporting information and one or two activities. The program is designed for children in kindergarten through 3rd grade. For nearly 200 years, The Hartford has helped families remain safe and secure. It is for this reason that the Junior Fire Marshal Program was created in 1947 to teach children the basics of personal fire safety and give families the information they need to be prepared in a fire emergency. The program helps educators and parents share fire safety and prevention tips with children in an easy, engaging way. You can also find additional resources at www.thehartford.com/jfm
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction Teaching Fire Safety to Children.................................................. 3 II. Fire Safety: Causes and Prevention Fire and burn prevention means that action is taken to stop the fire or injury from occurring in the first place. Knowledge is power when it comes to prevention! Smoke Alarms.................................................................. 5 Candles........................................................................ 6 Matches & Lighters.............................................................. 7 Cooking........................................................................ 8 Smoking....................................................................... 9 Portable Space Heaters......................................................... 10 III. Fire Safety: Preparing for and Reacting to an Emergency Even with the best prevention, fires can still occur. Knowing what to do when a fire breaks out is the best defense. Family Escape Plan............................................................. 12 Two Ways Out................................................................. 13 If Your Clothes Catch on Fire.................................................... 14 If Your Room or House is on Fire................................................. 15 If You Can t Get Out............................................................ 16 1
I. Introduction II. Fire Safety: Causes & Prevention III. Fire Safety: Preparing for & Reacting to an Emergency 2
I. INTRODUCTION Teaching Fire Safety to Children The purpose of the Junior Fire Marshal program is to teach children that the best firefighter is one who prevents a fire from occurring. If a fire does occur, however, they must know to respond quickly and in a way that will minimize their chance of being harmed. Some Facts to Introduce Fire Safety to Children Fires need three things to get started and burn: Oxygen, fuel and a heat source to ignite the fuel. Many children know that fire is hot and can hurt them. But smoke can be equally harmful. Breathing smoke makes people very sick and can even kill them. Smoke from a fire spreads quickly and can be extremely hazardous. Most people harmed in fires suffer from injuries related to the smoke or toxic gases they inhale, rather than from being burned by the fire itself. Some Facts for Teachers to Note About Fire Safety Children playing with fire start 40,000 home fires every year. 1 Every 20 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the U.S. Ibid Four out of five U.S. fire fatalities in 2005 occurred in homes. Ibid 1 National Fire Protection Association, Fast Facts About Fire, Updated November 2006 3
I. Introduction II. Fire Safety: Causes & Prevention III. Fire Safety: Preparing for & Reacting to an Emergency 4
II. FIRE SAFETY: CAUSES & PREVENTION Smoke Alarms Objective: Children will learn the importance of working smoke alarms. A smoke alarm is one of the most effective ways to reduce fire related injuries. About 20 percent, or one out of five homes, do not have a working smoke alarm in place. 1 Most fatal fires occur in homes without a working smoke alarm. A smoke alarm sniffs for smoke and sounds an alarm. Every house and apartment must have at least one smoke alarm. There should be an alarm on every level of the home especially outside the bedrooms. 2 Bring in a new battery powered smoke alarm. In an open area like the gymnasium or a playground, demonstrate what the alarm sounds like by pushing the test button. Activity #2 Select a day for children to check on the number and location of fire alarms in their home. For homework, ask each child to write down the results in their notebook, and have a parent or guardian verify the information with their signature. Adults should test the smoke alarms each month. Ibid Smoke alarm batteries must be replaced on a regular basis. They should never be removed for any purpose except replacement. Ibid 1 The Public/Private Fire Safety Council, White Paper, 2006 2 U.S Fire Administration Quick Response Program, Smoke Alarms Fact Sheet, (undated) 5
II. FIRE SAFETY: CAUSES & PREVENTION Candles Objective: Children will learn that a candle flame and melted candle wax is hot and will burn them; that a candle can ignite a fire if it comes into contact with a curtain, papers or any other common household item; and that candles should never be left unattended. Most candle fires occur on Christmas Day, followed by Christmas Eve and New Year s Day. 1 Only adults should light, carry and extinguish candles, never children. Candles should never be left unattended. If an adult is leaving the room, he or she should extinguish the candle. Candles should never be placed near a window with curtains. A breeze could blow the curtains into the candle's flame causing them to catch on fire. The melted wax in a candle is hot and will cause burns. Never touch or play with the melted wax. Candles can be knocked over by a pet or a person. They should always be placed out of reach of children and animals. Candles should always be placed in very stable containers. Bring in a candle to the classroom. Do not light it. Using a piece of lightweight cloth to simulate a curtain, hold it near the candle (but not over it). Have a group of children then blow on the cloth to move it over the candle to simulate the wind blowing a curtain over a candle. Explain how a lit candle could catch the curtain on fire. Activity #2 Have the children make paper flames out of construction paper and then, using tape, have them put them on objects in the room that might easily be ignited by a candle. 1 National Fire Protection Association Fact Sheets, Candles 6
II. FIRE SAFETY: CAUSES & PREVENTION Matches & Lighters Objective: Many children are curious about fire. Teaching them that matches and lighters are tools for adult use only can help to minimize their interest in playing with these dangerous items. Children playing with fire start 40,000 home fires every year. 1 Matches and lighters are tools for adults to use, not toys for children to play with. Children should tell an adult if they find matches or a lighter. If a child sees another child playing with matches or a lighter, he or she should immediately walk away and tell an adult. If a child starts a fire, he or she should immediately tell someone. Explain that getting in trouble is a lot better than burning down your home and injuring other people. Have children identify on the worksheet which objects are safe and which are not. Ask children to draw an X through unsafe objects and circle safe objects. (JFM Activity Sheet #2) Activity #2 Have children role-play what they would do if they saw a child playing with matches. Model the correct behavior. 1 National Fire Protection Association, Fast Facts About Fire, Updated November 2006 7
II. FIRE SAFETY: CAUSES & PREVENTION Cooking Objective: Students will learn about the many ways stoves, cooking and hot foods can be hazardous. They will learn how to recognize hazards and minimize risks. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires. 1 All pot handles should be turned toward the center of the stove to ensure they aren t knocked off by accident. Objects left on the stove, such as grocery bags or papers, can be set on fire by a hot burner. A stove can burn children; leave the cooking to the adults. Children should never carry hot food or liquids. Have the children cut out several large (about 10 ) circles using red paper to simulate stove-top burners. Using several pots, set them on a desk with the handles turned out. On another desk, have them set up with the handles turned in. Ask the children which ones are safe and which ones are not, and why. Do not let them turn the handles in themselves but have them ask an adult to do it. Activity #2 Leave one desk set up as a stove for the day. Mark a Danger Zone of approximately 3 feet around the desks using masking tape on the floor. Have the children stay out of the Danger Zone and have them look out for each other throughout the day. 1 Reproduced with permission from NFPA's web site, www.nfpa.org Copyright 2008 National Fire Protection Association, Quincy MA 02169 8
II. FIRE SAFETY: CAUSES & PREVENTION Smoking Objective: Children will learn about the fire hazards posed by adults smoking in their homes, and actions they can take to avert potential fires. Careless disposal of smoking materials is the leading cause of home fire deaths. 1 If an adult carelessly discards a cigarette or leaves a cigarette unattended, it can start a fire. A lit cigarette discarded into the trash bin may set the garbage inside on fire. That is why cigarettes should be run under water before being put into the trash. Children should remind parents that ashtrays should be placed on a table, never on furniture or a bed. A lit cigarette that rolls down into a seat cushion can set the furniture on fire. Children should never touch matches or lighters. 1 National Fire Protection Association, Risk of Home Structure Fire and Related Casualty, Revised April 2006 Have children verbally identify unsafe activitiesties relating to smoking, such as: Smoking in bed Leaving a unattended cigarette burning Discarding a cigarette or emptying an astray into the trash without dousing with water Leaving ashtrays on beds, chairs or sofas Tossing a lit cigarette from a car Explain why these actions are dangerous based on the supporting information. 9
II. FIRE SAFETY: CAUSES & PREVENTION Portable Space Heaters Objective: Children will learn that space heaters pose a number of hazards, including tipping, which can start a fire; contact burns; and electrical fires caused by overloaded, frayed or defective cords and outlets. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire deaths. 1 Clothes, bedding and other household items should be at least three feet away from portable heaters. 2 Only adults should plug in or move a heater. Heaters should always have an automatic shut-off function in case they tip over. Many fires are caused by frayed cords and overloaded outlets. Set up a desk as a heater for the day. Mark a Danger Zone of approximately 3 feet around the desks using masking tape on the floor. Have the children stay out of the Danger Zone and have them look out for each other throughout the day. Activity #2 Have children review the many ways portable space heaters can be hazardous. 1 Ahrens, Marty An Overview of the U.S. Fire Problem National Fire Protection Association, (undated) 2 U.S Fire Administration Quick Response Program, Preventing Bedroom Fires Fact Sheet, (undated) 10
I. Introduction II. Fire Safety: Causes & Prevention III. Fire Safety: Preparing for & Reacting to an Emergency 11
III. FIRE SAFETY: PREPARING FOR AND REACTING TO AN EMERGENCY Family Escape Plan Objective: Students will learn that every family must have and practice an escape plan. A family escape plan is key to making sure everyone knows how to react and get out if a fire or emergency should occur. Every family should have a plan. Families should practice their plan several times a year. The plan should include a meeting place outside of the home. A family meeting place ensures all members can be accounted for. The first priority is to get out. Don t stop for toys or pets. Know two ways out of every room as well as the house or apartment. Actually walk the entire route to make sure everyone knows it and that there aren t things in your way. Will you still be able to get out in the winter with snow? Send home information about the importance of having a family escape plan. Depending on the age of the children, ask them to draw/map out a family escape plan. Once out, stay out. Never go back in for any reason. If you have security bars on your windows, know how to open them quickly from the inside to get out. 12
III. FIRE SAFETY: PREPARING FOR AND REACTING TO AN EMERGENCY Two Ways Out Objective: Children will learn that they must always identify two exits at home, in school, in theaters and other public places. Everyone should be aware of two ways out at home, in the classroom, in restaurants, theaters and anywhere else. By knowing in advance where the exits are, children can react more quickly and safely in an emergency. The easiest way to find two ways out in a public place is to look for EXIT signs. Have the students review and write down the two ways out of their room and/or house or apartment. Activity #2 Identify two exits out of the classroom. Show the students the EXIT sign so they become familiar with what it looks like and means. Activity #3 You can never have too much preparation when it comes to fire safety. If your school s evacuation drill typically uses your primary exits, have just your class (not the whole school) practice walking out the second exit from the classroom and out the second exit from the building. 13
III. FIRE SAFETY: PREPARING FOR AND REACTING TO AN EMERGENCY If Your Clothes Catch on Fire Objective: Children will learn to react quickly to extinguish flames on their clothing. Fire needs air to breathe. Running only gives the flames more oxygen. Smothering the flames helps to put out fire. Quickly extinguishing the flames can prevent more serious and extensive injuries. STOP, DROP and ROLL is very effective in putting out flames. Have the students draw and cut out flames from felt that they can then put on their clothing to simulate fire. With enough space around each child, have them call out STOP (freeze), then DROP (they drop down and lie on the floor) and ROLL (they roll back and forth, completely over, smothering the flames.) Activity #2 Have the children complete the unscramble wordgame activity sheet with the words stop, drop and roll and pictures illustrating each action. (JFM Activity Sheet #4) STOP DROP ROLL 1. Stop. Don t run. Movement 2. Drop down on the ground 3. Roll over and over to put adds air that makes the fire or floor. out fire grow larger. 14
III. FIRE SAFETY: PREPARING FOR AND REACTING TO AN EMERGENCY If Your Room or House Catch on Fire Objective: Students will know specific steps to take in the event of an actual fire. Always take action when the smoke alarm sounds. Get out now. This is the time to use your family escape plan and meeting place. Leave quickly and don t stop or go back in for anything. If the door is closed, check the doorknob and door with the back of your hand to see if they re hot. If the doorknob or door is hot, use your second exit. If the door isn t hot, open it slowly. If there is smoke outside, crawl low where the air is cooler and clearer. If it is too smoky to see, close the door and use your second exit if possible. If both exits are blocked children should know what to do next. More information can be found on page 16. Have the children complete the Go Low in Smoke and Get Outside activity sheet. (JFM Activity Sheet #3) Activity #2 Bring in a new battery powered smoke alarm. A smoke alarm makes a sound that means get out now. This activity can be noisy and a little exciting for children, therefore it might be beneficial to work with another adult (such as a gym teacher) as a monitor. One adult can push the button on the smoke alarm, and one adult can "get out now" by leading the children through the exit. Make sure to conduct this drill in an area that will not disrupt other school activities. Once you ve gotten out, go to the family meeting place. 1 2 3 4 5 6 15
III. Fire Safety: Preparing for and Reacting to an Emergency If You Can t Get Out Students will learn that fleeing is not always the best course of action. Staying and waiting to be rescued may be the better option. If the smoke in your exit is too thick for you to crawl through then abandon this exit. It is too dangerous for you to use safely. If it s impossible to escape, close the door. This will help to stop the spread of smoke and fire into the room. Go to the window if it is safe. Open it if you know how. Have the children take turns acting out being trapped in the classroom. Take them though the suggested procedure for what to do. Wave, yell, scream, get attention for someone to help you. If there is a phone in the room, use it to call 911. Wait for help. Do not hide under your bed or in the closet. Firefighters need to be able to find you! Firefighters can go into a burning building because they wear special clothes to protect them and equipment so they can breathe and see. 16
Notes The guide was written in conjunction with Ed Comeau of writer-tech.com and the People's Burn Foundation of Indianapolis. www.writer-tech.com 17
The Hartford s Junior Fire Marshal Program Additional fire safety information, downloads and activities can be found by visiting: www.thehartford.com/jfm The Hartford is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Sept. 2009 The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Hartford, CT 06155. All Rights Reserved