Fire service support child safety week

Child Safety Week will promote a 'Safer Together' theme to help parents ensure that they and their children stay safe in the home.

Each year, many children are injured in accidental house fires, many of them in the kitchen. To combat this, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and the Fire Kills campaign are offering parents the following information:

- Set clear kitchen rules for children such as: don't touch matches, never switch on the cooker, never put anything on top of the cooker and don't touch any saucepans on the cooker.

- Make sure children know the kitchen is not a play area - never leave them alone in the kitchen, especially when you're cooking, and never let them play near the oven and hob.

- Nominate your child to be 'Escape Champ'. Regularly practise escape routes and give children the responsibility to keep routes clear. Keys for windows and doors should always be kept in an accessible place so you can get out quickly.

- Discuss how to call 999 '“ Ensure children know which number to call in an emergency and that they know their address. Pin both up by the phone and explain the importance of only calling 999 in a real emergency.

- Keep candles, lighters and matches out of children's reach. Never leave burning candles unattended.

- Fit and maintain a smoke alarm '“ you should have one on each level of your home and test it weekly. If your smoke alarm keeps going off accidentally while you are cooking, don't be tempted to remove the batteries. Instead, move the alarm.

- In the event of a fire 'Get Out, Call 999, Stay Out!' 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.

Emma Brandenburger, Children's Services and Education Manager, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said: "It's important that parents and carers talk to their children about fire safety. Setting a good example helps the whole family stay safer together. Having a smoke alarm and testing it weekly can significantly reduce the devastating consequences of having an accidental house fire."

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offer free Home Safety Visits to help keep your family safe throughout the year. If you would like to arrange a visit, call free on 0800 177 7069 or use our online booking service at www.esfrs.org

For more advice on fire safety, please visit www.esfrs.org or www.direct.gov.uk/firekills and for more about Child Safety Week visit www.childsafetyweek.org.uk