Fire Safety Tips for Children

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

Teach your children at a young age about fire prevention and safety.

Fires can happen so quickly and so can burns. Keep these tips in mind when you have children at home:

• Set water heater temperature to no higher than 120°F or just below the medium setting.
• Create a "no kid zone" in the kitchen around stoves, ovens and hot items.
• Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters.
• Place pots and pans on the back burner with handles turned away from the edge of the stove.
• Never hold an infant or child while cooking, drinking a hot liquid or carrying hot items.
• Keep matches and lighters high out of the reach and sight of children and in a locked cabinet.
• Closely supervise older children when using microwaves or have them prepare non-hot food. Many burn injuries occur from children pulling hot foods and soups out of microwaves.
• Teach children to stop, drop, and roll if their clothes catch fire.
• Test the water before placing a child in the tub. Fill the tub or sink by running cool water first and then adding hot water. Seat the child facing away from the faucets.

If you or someone else sustains a burn injury be sure to:

• Cool the burn with cool (not cold) water to stop the burning process.
• Remove all clothing and jewelry from the injured area.
• Cover the area with a clean dry sheet or bandage.
• Seek medical attention.

It’s the little preventive things that can save a home, serious injury and lives when it comes to fire and hot items. Educate your children now so you can save yourself possible heartache in the future.

And if accidental fire damage does occur, make sure to call us at SERVPRO of Gainesville West-Alachua County West at 352-374-6589.