Make a change, make a difference - for Child Safety Week 2008

Fire is one of the biggest killers of children in the home and tragically many of these deaths could be avoided if children knew what to do when a fire starts and all homes were fitted with working smoke alarms.

This is the stark message from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) who will be urging all parents, grandparents and carers to sign up for a free home fire safety check and advising on ways in which parents can keep their children, themselves and their homes safer from the devastating effects of fire during Child Safety Week (23-29 June 2008).

Child Safety Week is a national campaign co-ordinated by the Child Prevention Trust and this year's theme, 'Make a change. Make a difference', will highlight that even small changes in our every day lives can make a big difference to children's safety.

Head of Community Safety Stuart Skilton said: "As part of our pledge to invest in preventing fires and accidents, we provide safety education for all ages starting with very young children. So far this academic year, our education team has made over 1,300 visits to schools in Kent and Medway and delivered age-appropriate and curriculum-based lessons to help over 73,500 children and young people keep themselves and others safe from harm. This includes fire safety in the home, arson and road safety programmes."

He added: "However, I would urge all Kent residents to take advantage of our free home fire safety check service by calling 0800 923 7000. Small steps such as fitting a smoke alarm and testing it weekly will help reduce the risk of death or injury to you or your loved ones should fire break out in the home.

"We would also encourage parents, grandparents and carers to make and practice an escape plan with your children and to teach children about the dangers of fire in the home. The kitchen is where many fires start so it is crucial that parents know the facts about kitchen fire safety so they can pass on valuable knowledge to the whole family. Also, small actions like keeping escape route clear, not removing smoke alarm batteries for children's toys and remembering not to overload electrical sockets can really make a life or death difference."

As well as providing school based lessons, KFRS community safety officers deliver 'Safety in Action' events with partner agencies where children aged between 10 to 12 get practical experience of a variety of hazards and demonstrate ways of dealing with these safely - such as a fire in the home, stranger danger, rail safety and drink and drugs. Safety in Action will be taking place in Ashford during Child Safety Week.

Here are ten top tips to ensure kids stay safe in the kitchen and from fire in the home:

1. Fit and maintain a smoke alarm - you should have one on each level of your home and test it weekly. Ideal places are at the top and bottom of staircases, on stair landings, and between living and sleeping areas.

2. 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.

3. Never leave cooking unattended - If you need to leave the kitchen turn electrical appliances off and take pans off the heat.

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

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

6. Don't overload plug sockets - one plug per socket is the rule, especially if the appliance takes a lot of power (like a kettle). Be careful not to let leads trail over cookers or touch water.

7. Nominate your child to be the 'escape champ' - regularly role-play escape routes and give children the responsibility to keep escape routes clear.

8. Get 'key clever' - 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. Encourage your children to check that keys are in the correct place.

9. Discuss how to call 999 - Make sure children know the number off by heart as well as their address. Always make sure that both are pinned up by the phone and explain the importance of only calling 999 in a real emergency

10. In the event of a fire 'Get out, Stay out and Dial 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 dial 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.

For more information on free Home Fire Safety Checks or to book an appointment call Kent Fire and Rescue Service for free 0800 923 7000 or visit www.kent.fire-uk.org.

For more information on how to protect you and your children from fire visit www.direct.gov.uk/firekills

Please also visit www.capt.org.uk for more information about the Child Accident Prevention Trust.

To enquire about the Ashford 'Safety in Action' event, please contact Kent Fire and Rescue Service Community Safety Team on 01622 698360.