Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, as part of the Fire Kills campaign, is encouraging local families and child carers to be a "Safety Hero" by taking simple measures to stay safe as part of Child Safety Week 2014, run by the Child Accident Prevention Trustfrom 23 to 29 June
Preventable accidents are one of the biggest killers in the UK, and the message coming loud and clear this week is that a few moments' extra thought can make all the difference. Small steps like testing your smoke alarms and making sure candles and matches are out of reach, or a quick glance down the hall to ensure an escape route is clear in case of a fire, take just seconds but can save lives.
Child Safety Week (23 – 29 June 2014) is an annual campaign by the Child Accident Prevention Trust to raise awareness of the risks of child accidents and how they can be prevented.
Key messages to keep children safe:
The steps to safety are small, but by taking these steps families can make a big difference to children's safety:
Fit a smoke alarm - Fitting a smoke alarm and involving the children in testing it regularly can also help keep them fire-aware and – most importantly – provide the vital seconds you need to escape in an accidental house fire.
Don't let your child play with fire - Keep candles, lighters and matches well out of children's reach, and never leave burning candles unattended.
Keep safe in the kitchen - Make sure children know that the kitchen is not a play area – never leave younger children alone in the kitchen when you're cooking and never let them play near the oven and hob.
Socket safety - Teach children not to poke anything, including fingers, into sockets.
Nominate your child to be the 'Escape champ' - Regularly role-play escape routes and give children the responsibility to keep escape routes clear.
Get 'key clever' - encourage your children to check that keys are in the correct place. Keys for windows and doors should always be kept in an accessible place so you can get out quickly in the event of a fire.
Discuss how to call 999 - Make sure children know which number to call in an emergency. They should also know their address. You can pin both up by the phone; explain the importance of only calling 999 in a real emergency.
Fit and maintain a smoke alarm - A working smoke alarm can give you the vital time you need to escape a house fire. You should have one on each level of your home and test it weekly.
Don't remove the batteries - if your smoke alarm keeps going off accidentally while you are cooking, don't remove the batteries. Instead move the alarm or change it for one with a silencer button.
In the event of a fire 'Get out, Stay out, Call 999!' – Don't delay for valuables, don't investigate or try to tackle the fire. Use a mobile, a neighbour's phone or a phone box to call 999. If someone needs to be rescued wait safely outside for the firefighters who have the equipment and training to do it. Never go back in.
Cross roads safely - teach children how to cross the road safely
Travel safely by car - Always wear a seat belt and always strap children into car seats.
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