I recently went to a fire safety meeting given by Brandon Simpson with Lex Watch Safety Systems from Lexington, in which I was somewhat skeptical at first. On the drive there, I literally was incredulous about fire alarms systems - their purpose, where to put them and how threatening a house fire really was. The information I received from Brandon and his presentation made me feel so ignorant about fire alarms systems and house fires.

This information was very valuable to my family and me. After the safety meeting I did not sleep until we had our house protected properly. First, I had new fire alarms systems installed in my Appalachian home. Then I started practicing fire safety drills with my family to learn ways to get out of our home safe if there was a fire in our home. You need to talk, show, and teach your children so they know what to do in case your Appalachian home would break out in a fire and you and your children were in your home. Safety first - don’t jeopardize your lives!

I thought about all the people who could not afford to buy fire alarms systems and then I found out that (if you qualify) you could call your local fire department and have them installed free. Rowan County is part of a program that received a grant from the Department for Public Health and the Kentucky injury prevention and Research Center at the University of Kentucky; it is funded by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Danny Blevins, president of the Firewise council in Rowan County, said, “The fire alarm grant’s bringing thousands of smoke detectors into this county and placing them into the Appalachian homes in different districts that qualify.”

One of the greatest dangers in Appalachia for children in their homes today is fires. There are children who get hurt, burned or even die in home fires daily. In fact, children under the age of 5 account for almost half of all home fire victims. Children are the most vulnerable and likely to be hurt and badly burned in home fires. That makes it extremely important to focus on fire safety rules with young children and make them aware of the dangers that follow if they do not abide by them. Many people who live in Appalachia still are not aware of how dangerous fires are and how quickly they spread. They also may not know how to prevent fires and help reduce injuries if they occur. Your Appalachian home should be a safe place for you and your family. By taking some simple precautions, you can make sure your home and your families are as fire safe as possible.

Children learn by watching, listening, and doing. The fire safety habits you practice will help show your child how to be safe. Remember, children are very curious by nature.

By removing fire sources and talking about fire safety, you can help your child understand how important it is to stay away from fire. Matches, lighters and other heat sources cause many home fires. Children set many fires. Many children have a fascination with fire and actually hide and play with matches or lighters. Bedrooms and closets are often secret places where children will play with fire.

Here are some things you can do to help teach your child about the dangers of fire and what to do in case there is a fire. Of course, you will use your judgment depending on your child’s age. However, children as young as 3 can be taught to practice safe behaviors:

• Talk to your child about fires; tell your child fire is dangerous, and that it could hurt them.

• Let your child know how a smoke alarms sounds: allow them to hear it when you are testing it so they know the sounds and what it means.

• Tell your child not to play with matches or lighters they may find: tell your child to tell you if they find matches or lighters to bring them to you.

• Show your child how to craw low in case of fire: practice how to craw low on all fours if there is a fire with a lot of smoke. Do not crawl on your belly.

• Teach the stop, drop and roll technique: if your child is old enough, practice this technique to put out fires that may get on clothes.

Nothing is scarier than a fire in the home. Many fires are preventable. By practicing safety behaviors and removing or monitoring known fire dangers in the home, you can help reduce the chance of a fire. Make safety a regular part of your family’s routine and keep your home the safe and comforting place instead of a fire hazard.

Fire facts and safety tips

Get a smoke alarm and make sure it works. Most home fires in which children died were in homes that did not have a working smoke alarm or any at all.

Never assume you have time. It only takes a few seconds to a few minutes before flames can spread through an entire home. Leave a burning home as quickly as possible.

The heat of a fire is more deadly than the flames. The heat of a fire can rise to 600 degrees. The heat alone is deadly and can melt clothes to your skin. Don’t think that if you do not see flames you are safe.

Once a flame starts, it quickly turns dark-into a thick, black smoke. The dark smoke prevents you from seeing, breathing.

Smoke and the toxic gases and fumes from fire are more deadly than the flames. Breathing becomes difficult. This is a main reason why people are hurt in a fire.

Do not fight a fire. If you cannot put out a contained fire-meaning it is very small and has not started to spread-with a fire extinguisher in less than 20 seconds, LEAVE!

Do not try to use a fire extinguisher for the first time when there is an actual fire. Get instructions and practice using it beforehand. In a moment’s notice, it won’t be easy to just read the instructions and do it right.

To prevent fires
• Store all flammables and hazardous materials properly and out of reach of children. This includes kerosene, cleaning material and household products, matches, lighters, candles, alcohol, pesticides, paint. If you have gasoline, paint thinners, ammonia, or kerosene, these should be stored outside the home.
• Keep matches, candles, and lighters out of reach of children. Child resistant lighters are not foolproof, children can still light them up.
• Use stove and cooking appliances safety or not at all when children are around. Either remove all knobs from stove, or use safety knobs. If you’re using a pot, turn the handle toward the back of the stove or use it on it on the back burner.
• Keep all electrical appliances and items with electrical cords out of reach of children. Young children tend to reach and pull on items that they see. Make your home safe by removing any temptations.
• Clean and empty all lint filters in dryers and have dryers checked regularly. Dryer lint buildup is a major cause of home fires.
• Limit how much is on walls. Pictures (artwork) should cover 10 percent of your wall area. Papers are flammable materials on walls or doors can make you home burn faster.

To prepare for emergency evacuation:
• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Put UL-listed (underwriters laboratories) smoke alarms on each floor. Install the alarms high on walls or ceilings, since this is where smoke rises. Keep them free of paint stickers and dust. Test alarms monthly; replace batteries every six months.
• Also, have a fire extinguisher on each floor, like near the kitchen; place it where it will be seen, but out of small children’s reach. Make sure you have an ABC-type extinguisher so that it can handle different types of fires. Recharge them after every use.
• Keep all exits clear and free of any clutter or blockages.

Toddlers and older children should be able to use these exits in the event of a fire in your home. This means hallways, steps, and pathways should be clear of debris, toys, or other materials that would stop or make it hard for you or your children to get past it to get out of the home quickly. Also post emergency numbers next to each telephone in your home, (911, poison control, neighbors, fire departments). Have a family emergency escape plan, and have regular fire drills and practice them. Children remember when they practice. Always keep children’s bedroom doors closed at night. Closed doors can help prevent a fire from spreading and slow down the spread of smoke and fumes. Always keep a baby harness by the crib. If you have an infant, a harness will allow you to carry your baby comfortably and leave your hands free to escape during an emergency.

It is never too late to make your Appalachian home a firesafe one for you and your family.

Here are the fire departments and there telephone numbers near your Appalachian home in and Rowan County Kentucky!

• Morehead Fire Department 135 Flemingsburg Road, Morehead, Ky.-(606) 784-1138

• Farmers Volunteer Fire Department 295 Old US Highway 60, Morehead, Ky. (606) 784-8914

• Route 377 Volunteer Fire Department 7405 Cranston Road, Morehead, Ky. (606) 784-3952

• Hayes Crossing Haldeman VFD 6400 U.S. 60 , Morehead, Ky. (606) 783-1445

• MMRC Fire Department 4450 Old State Highway 801 North, Morehead, Ky. (606)783-0504

• Elliottville Fire Department 8140 Hogtown Hill, Morehead, Ky. (606) 784-1696

• Hazel Green Fire Department 75 Spring Street, Hazel Green, Ky.(606) 662-6605

• Salt Lick Fire Department 164 Main Street, Salt Lick, Ky. (606) 683-2084

• Olive-Hill Fire Department 345 Tygart Street, Olive Hill, Ky. (606) 286-2211

Kathy Sue Lewis
Morehead State University