Introduction to fire is usually done on our first birthday with the ceremonial use of candles on the birthday cake. Parents invite children to light the candles, make a wish, and blow them out for fun, and all the merriment of a birthday celebration. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But this first introduction to fire should include a cautionary tale to children, who, for the moment, are intrigued, excited and mesmerized by the concept of fire.

The message that we as adults can convey to children is this:

Fire can be beneficial; it provides us with warmth, heating, cooking and power, and has symbolic use in religious and political ceremonies. Surface fire is necessary for the continuation of some ecosystems, which may occur naturally through forest fires.

However, fire can be dangerous and harmful, burning down forests and homes, and sometimes destroying people’s lives and communities. We all need to respect fire for the good it can do, but also for its power to do harm.

As winter approaches, and families fire up furnaces, fireplaces and space heaters, the risk of home fires and injuries increase. The risk of burn injuries rises due to camping fires, backyard fire pits, burn barrels and burning leaves. To protect your family from common fire and burn hazards, Safe Kids Erie offers the following fire safety tips:

• Have your chimney cleaned each year before cold weather arrives.
• Never allow kids to cook unsupervised. Most home fires start in the kitchen.
• Cover the fireplace with a sturdy metal screen so kids can’t get too close.
• Be sure to supervise kids around open flames, such as fireplaces, campfires, burning leaves.
• Keep candles in a safe place, where kids are unable to tip them over. Better yet, use flameless candles.
• Never let kids light matches or lighters for any reason.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of reach of children.

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion, and poses its own risks apart from fire. Here are some tips to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Ensure that space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are vented properly and inspected annually.
• Never leave your car’s engine running in the garage, or when it is parked or covered in snow.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.
• Remember that cigarette smoke is another source of carbon monoxide; ask smokers to smoke outside.

Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms are available through the City of Erie Fire Department and Safe Kids Erie partnership known as “Protect the Place You Call Home”.  For more information call 870-1402.

For more information on preventing home fires and other child safety topics, visit www.safekids.org.

Safe Kids Erie, led by the Erie County Department of Health, is part of PA Safe Kids and Safe Kids Worldwide.

Patty Puline, Coordinator
Safe Kids and Injury Prevention Program
Erie County Department of Health

This information is distributed by Erie County Department of Health, 606 W. 2nd Street, Erie, PA 16507, 814-451-6700, www.ecdh.org.