from
space heaters. And keep children away from portable
heaters and space heaters, too.
Turn Pot Handles In
Don't let pot handles stick
out over the edge of the stove where children can bump or
grab them. Turn handles in, pointing
toward the center of the stove, to prevent spilling hot
liquids or food.
Use Microwaves Safely
Never put anything into a
microwave unless you are absolutely sure it is safe.
Paper, glass, and microwave
proof earthenware are safe. In many cases, metals are not.
Read and follow the instructions
on all packaged microwavable meals. Do not exceed
recommended cooking times. If you
are not sure of how to use the microwave, do not use it.
Keep children away from the
microwave. Be careful when removing covers from microwavable containers;
escaping steam can cause severe burns. Cool all foods
sufficiently before serving them
to children.
Never Leave Children
Unattended
Supervise children when they
are awake, and check on them often after they've gone to
bed, until you
are sure they are sound asleep. Even then, make sure you
can hear them when they wake up.
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In Case of Fire
Crawl Low Under Smoke
If you encounter smoke while
you are escaping a fire, use another exit route. If you
must escape through
smoke, remember that heat and smoke rise, so cleaner air
is always near the floor. Crawl on
your hands and knees, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches
(30 to 60 centimeters) above the floor.
Go first, making sure the children follow you.
Get Out! Stay Out!
If you smell smoke, hear a
smoke alarm, or see flames, get everybody out. Don't wait
for any reason.
Go directly to your meeting place, and count heads to make
sure everyone has escaped. Call
the Fire Department. Take the children to a neighbor's
home, and call the fire department from
there. Give the fire department the complete address of
the fire, and stay on the phone until you're
told to hang up. Then call the children's parents
Don't Go Back. Watch children
carefully while you're waiting for the fire department.
Make sure
no one goes back inside for any reason. Keep everyone a
safe distance from the fire and out of
the way of the firefighters.
If You Can't Get to
the Children.
If smoke or flames are
blocking the way to the children's bedrooms, go straight
to a neighbor and call
the fire department. Tell them that the children are
trapped inside and where they are.
Emergency Tips
Stop, Drop, and Roll.
If your clothing catches fire:
STOP, don't run. DROP to the ground, and cover your face
with your
hands. ROLL over and over until the fire goes out.
Babysitters may have to help children do this.
Pull the child to the ground, and roll him or her over and
over to smother the flames.
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