Contributing Programs

School Education & Safety Programs

SURVIVE ALIVE - The People's Burn Foundation is proud to associate with the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) and Firefighters Local Union 416 for fire safety education programs. A showcase for Public Education, the "Survive Alive" Program is located in the headquarters of the Firefighters Local Union 416, 748 Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indianapolis. To schedule a program, call (317) 327-6707.

"Survive Alive" is staffed by IFD personnel and teaches young visitors about the dangers of fire, how to “Stop, drop and Roll” to extinguish clothing that might catch on fire, and how to react if they should have a fire in their home. "Survive Alive" also helps to familiarize children with firefighters who – when fully outfitted in helmet, coat and breathing apparatus take on the appearance of Darth Vader – might frighten children into hiding during an emergency.

The "Survive Alive" Program also teaches children the EDITH Program. EDITH stands for “Exit Drills in the House” and teaches youngsters how to escape from a burning building.

MCAxe & the Firecrew and "Kasey the Life and Fire Safety Dog" - The People's Burn Foundation also is proud to associate with "MCAxe & the Firecrew" and "Kasey the Life and Fire Safety Dog" for school education fire and life safety programs. For more information, please visit www.mcaxeandkasey.com

Fire & Burn Education

Nationally each year, approximately 530 children under 14 die due to unintentional fire and burn related injuries. Another 116,600 children are treated for fire/burn injuries in emergency rooms and doctor’s offices. In Indiana in 2007, 16 deaths were attributed to fire. Because approximately 80 percent of fires and burns occur in the home, prevention education must address how to identify home fire and burn hazards and the methods to correct or remove these hazards.

A fire can start very easily and spread with frightening speed. Every year there are approximately 1,642,000 fires reported in the United States. These fires cause 3,245 civilian deaths and 16,400 injuries. Active fire prevention in your home can keep a fire from starting. The following checklist will help see how well you are practicing fire prevention at home and will help to determine any fire risks which may exist.

In addition, this checklist includes burn hazards and ways to keep burns from occurring. Much of the advice is common sense and will only take a few minutes to put into action.

-- Smoke alarm in your home?

-- Is smoke alarm working?

-- Is there smoke alarm on every floor in home?

-- Is there smoke alarm near doorway of bedrooms where family members sleep?

-- Do you test your smoke alarm every six months (twice a year)?

-- Does each family member have at least two ways to escape from each room in case of fire?

-- Is it possible to open all windows and use to escape (no nails keeping window shut or security bars in front of window)?

-- All exits clear and easy to reach?

-- Family practice the escape plan regularly?

-- Family have one meeting place outside home in case of fire (example: neighbor’s lawn or front porch)?

-- Food cooking on stove or in oven constantly watched?

-- Matches and lighters locked in cabinet higher than shoulders?

-- People who smoke cigarettes dispose of in sturdy ashtray and avoid smoking in bed?

-- All light fixtures use correct wattage light bulb?

-- Candles in glass containers and away from anything which might catch fire?

-- Night lights away from and not touching curtains or blankets where it could start fire?

-- Space heaters kept at least three feet away from cribs, beds, clothing, curtains, furniture and paper?

-- Electrical cords inspected for cracks, tears or frays and replaced when necessary?

-- All electrical cords above carpets and not under table or chair legs?

-- All electrical appliances unplugged when not in use?

-- Surge protectors or heavy duty extension cords used?

-- Electrical outlets overloaded?

-- Appliance cords kept from counter edge or from dangling?

-- Electrical outlets covered to protect small children?

-- Check bath water temperature before allowing young children into water?

-- Microwaves placed below shoulder level of most family members?

-- Children under 10 years supervised when using microwave?

-- Pot handles on stove pointing turned away from edge and on back burners?

If you rent your home it is important to understand the legal responsibilities of your landlord. Even if you think it is your landlord’s responsibility to take the necessary fire safety precautions, do not leave it to them. If you cannot get your landlord to make your house safe, do it yourself – it could save your life.

Indiana SB 0026

Smoke detectors in rental properties. Makes it a Class B infraction if a landlord fails to: (1) properly install a smoke detector at the time a tenant moves in; or (2) repair an inoperative hard wired smoke detector within seven days of receiving notice of the need for repair. Increases the penalty to a Class A infraction for a subsequent offense.Provides that a landlord and a tenant may not waive the requirement that a smokedetector be installed in each rental unit. Requires a tenant to replace batteries as neededin a battery operated smoke detector and to provide written notice of any malfunctions ofa hard wired smoke detector to the landlord. Permits a fire department to inspect aprivate dwelling upon the request of the owner or primary lessee who resides in the dwelling.

Please check your local jurisdiction for ordinances on smoke alarms in rental properties.

Fire & Burn Safety Tips

These basic safety practices will help save lives, prevent burn injuries and avoid property damage.

SPACE HEATERS: Keep children away; allow area at least three feet around heater free from curtains, blankets or paper (anything flammable); never leave unattended.

CANDLES: Use artificial candles; never leave wick-lighted candles unattended; keep children away; avoid anything flammable near or above; extinguish before leaving room or home or going to bed.

SMOKE ALARMS: Place minimum of one unit per floor in hallway; check batteries monthly; replace batteries annually; replace entire unit every few years.

ELECTRICAL CORDS: Never use frayed, broken or crimped cords and remove if under rugs or furniture. Use only special outside cords for spotlight, tree and house light decorations.

FIREPLACES: Check gas fireplace annually; make sure chimney flew is open; keep children away; clear flammable items near fireplace; never leave unattended; use fireplace screen; make sure fire is extinguished before leaving home or going to bed.

COOKING: Keep children at least three feet away from cooking areas. Keep hot liquids and cooking appliances away from counter and table edges; smother grease fire and DO NOT use water to extinguish.

MICROWAVES: Keep at shoulder-level or below and supervise children using.

BATH & SHOWER WATER: Supervise children and test water temperature before allowing child in tub or shower.

HOT WATER HEATERS: Set to 120 degrees or less and keep flammable items away from pilot light.

February is Burn Awareness Month -- PLEASE PRACTICE BURN SAFETY

-- 250,000 children are burned each year

-- 200,000 children are burned by contact with hot substances

-- 5,000 children are burned by hot tap water

-- 60,000 children are burned by hot objects

-- 15,000 children are hospitalized with burn injuries

-- 1,100 children die from burn and fire injuries

Sources: National Health Interview Survey, Safe Kids Worldwide & National Hospital Discharge Data

Create a Family Escape Plan

-- Get your family together and draw a floor plan of your home.

-- Mark all windows and doors.

-- Plan two ways out of each sleeping area (the first way out should be the door and second way out could be a window).

-- Know two ways out of each room in case smoke or flames block your main route.

-- If you must escape through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest exit.

-- Make sure windows can be opened easily (windows or doors with security bars need to be equipped with quick-release devices everyone is able to operate).

-- If you must use an escape ladder, be sure everyone understands how it works (children should not be asked to practice going down the ladder because of the risk of falling).

-- Sleep with bedroom doors closed (sleeping with the bedroom door closed will help keep the smoke out and allow for more time to escape).

-- Install smoke alarms near every sleeping area and on each level of your home (if bedroom doors are closed at night install alarms inside the bedrooms also and test the alarms monthly).

-- Consider installing a home sprinkler system.

-- Agree on an outside meeting place where every member of the household will wait for the fire department.

-- This allows you to count heads and inform firefighters if anyone is missing.

-- Mark your meeting place on your escape plan.

-- Practice your plan at least once a month.

If you live in an apartment building, use the stairways to escape. Do not use the elevators. Consider practicing your plan once during the night when children might be sleeping. Make special arrangements for children, older adults and people with disabilities. Make sure everyone understands the planned escape routes.

And finally: Teach children to GET OUT and STAY OUT. Children should be taught that they should not stop to gather toys or pets but to get themselves out right away. Once you are out of your home, call 9-1-1 from the nearest phone and do not go back inside for any reason. If people are trapped inside, firefighters have the best chance to rescue.