Instead, stop and drop to the floor or ground. Then roll or rock back and forth to smother the flames. Rolling helps reduce the fire’s oxygen supply. If possible, roll in a rug, blanket or coat to smother the fire faster.

When the fire is out, cool the burn with water and call the fire department. Do not remove the burned clothing if it is stuck to the skin. Keep the victim quiet and warm until help arrives.

Seconds count in any fire so, being able to put the fire out as quickly as possible is vital. Running in response to danger such as a fire is natural in all age groups, but is more common in younger children. Frightened children often run to find their parents or water, believing that it is the only way to put out a fire. By practicing the stop, drop, and roll procedure with your family, you can help increase the likelihood that they will be able to put it into practice when needed instead of running for help or water.

Most clothing fires are the result of careless accidents and can be prevented if you:

* Practice caution when using or working with heat sources or flames.
* Keep children away from heat sources such as candles, stoves, cigarettes, outdoor grills, matches, portable heaters etc.
* Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing or clothes with draping sleeves while cooking or near heat sources.
* Purchase flame-retardant clothing for children when possible.

Stop Drop and Roll

Images: Courtesy of Google Images www.google.com

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

Instead, stop and drop to the floor or ground. Then roll or rock back and forth to smother the flames. Rolling helps reduce the fire’s oxygen supply. If possible, roll in a rug, blanket or coat to smother the fire faster.

When the fire is out, cool the burn with water and call the fire department. Do not remove the burned clothing if it is stuck to the skin. Keep the victim quiet and warm until help arrives.

Seconds count in any fire so, being able to put the fire out as quickly as possible is vital. Running in response to danger such as a fire is natural in all age groups, but is more common in younger children. Frightened children often run to find their parents or water, believing that it is the only way to put out a fire. By practicing the stop, drop, and roll procedure with your family, you can help increase the likelihood that they will be able to put it into practice when needed instead of running for help or water.

Most clothing fires are the result of careless accidents and can be prevented if you:

• Practice caution when using or working with heat sources or flames.
• Keep children away from heat sources such as candles, stoves, cigarettes, outdoor grills, matches, portable heaters etc.
• Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing or clothes with draping sleeves while cooking or near heat sources.
• Purchase flame-retardant clothing for children when possible.

Line of Duty” Author: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is working with the Ohio Fire Officials Association for state law mandating photoelectric or equivalent smoke detection technology in new residential construction. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

LiveSafe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.