Safe Kids Baltimore

Fire Prevention and Safety

School-based Fire Prevention Program
Fire Prevention Grants
A Fire Video In the Making
Fire Safety Rap Video
Fire Safety Tips
For More Information

School-based Fire Prevention Program

Safe Kids Baltimore, in partnership with the Baltimore City Fire Department, conducts a school based fire prevention program for first through third grades in the Baltimore City Elementary Schools. Each year about 60-70 schools are invited to schedule the program at their school.

(We rotate the schools every other year in hopes of reaching every child before they leave third grade)

The schools receive a mailing about the program in September and then again in November and January if they do not respond to the previous mailings. To find out if your child’s school is on our list for this school year email us at safekidsbaltimore@umm.edu or call us at 410-328-7532.

The program includes a highly interactive presentation which includes a visit from their local firefighters. The students also receive a home fire safety checklist to complete. If they return their form, they receive a fire hat and a bag of fire safety incentive items. The forms are reviewed, and if the home is in need of smoke alarms, arrangements are made for them to be installed by the BCFD for free.

Fire Prevention Grants

Safe Kids Baltimore and the Baltimore City Fire Department have also worked together on fire prevention grants to decrease fire related injuries and deaths in areas where a number of children were injured or killed. This most recently includes the 21223 area.

A Fire Video In the Making

One of the most important goals of Safe Kids Baltimore is to make sure no child dies in a fire. That's why we have created a video about fire safety.

Here is a behind the scenes look at the making of this video. On a June day, we turned a rowhouse in South Baltimore into a movie set. Jada, Gabbie, Brian and Kevin were the child stars who came out to help us spread the word about fire safety. Our "Inspector Detector" Kevin Williams of the Baltimore City Fire Department reminded the children of key fire safety issues, like having a fire escape plan and having a working smoke alarm on every floor. He also stressed the importance of "Get Out and Stay Out" when there is a fire.

This video will be given to Baltimore City elementary schools and select head-start programs in the city.

Check our Web site again in September to view the video.

Fire Safety Rap Video

Kids standing with fireman in front of fire truck

Safe Kids Baltimore and the Baltimore City Fire Department have also worked together on fire prevention media campaigns include the production of Fire Safety Rap PSA which was shown on several local stations.

Read "Behind the Scenes:
The Making of a Fire Safety Rap"

Fire Safety Tips

Have working smoke alarm on each floor of your house
Test smoke alarms once a month & change the batteries twice a year
Have a family fire safety ( escape) plan. Talk to your children about the plan and practice the plan with your children !
Have at least two ways out of the house & two ways out of each room
Do NOT HIDE in a closet, under the bed, or in a bathtub
Designate an outside meeting place in your safety plan. This should be a place that everyone in the house knows to go to if there is a fire so you can account for everyone. Let the fire department know if anyone is missing.
Call 911 from a neighbors house or outside the house – do not stay in the burning house to make the call
Once you get out – stay out ! Never go back in for anything or anyone .
Feel closed doors with the back of your hand. If it is hot – there is fire on the other side – do not open the door. Go to a window & hang an object like clothing or a blanket out the window so the fire department will know someone is trapped and needs rescuing. Place a blanket at the bottom of the door to prevent smoke from coming under the door.
Keep heavy objects away from doors and windows so they won’t block your escape
Keep matches , lighters, candles, and other heat sources out fo the reach of children
Do NOT use kerosene heaters
Keep children away from cooking and heating appliances
Never smoke in bed
Replace old or frayed electrical wires and avoid placing several appliance cords into the same socket
Store all flammable liquids, such as gasoline, outside of the home and out of children’s reach

For Inquiries Call BCFD Office of the Fire Marshall /Fire Prevention
410-396-5690
www.bcfdfiremarshal.com

This page was last updated on: October 22, 2008.

For more information contact Safe Kids Baltimore at 410-328-7532 or safekidsbaltimore@umm.edu or visit Safe Kids Worldwide