Kids Here is Some Tips for Grown-Ups
By Sparky
Jan. 1, 2010
Here are some safety tips that you kids can get your parents to follow, to help protect your family:
Burn Notice
- Remind grown-ups to keep hot foods and liquids away from tables and counter edges so they cannot be pulled or knocked over.
- Grown-ups should always be careful when using things that get hot such as curling irons, oven, irons, lamps, heaters.
- Hot things can hurt you. Stay away from hot things.
Just Right?
- Remind grown-ups to test the water before placing children or themselves in the tub.
Cool a Burn
- Treat a burn right away. Put it in cool water for 3-5 minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth.
- Remind grown-ups that if the burn is bigger than your fist, or if you have any questions, to get medical help right away.
Safety in the Kitchen
- Remind grown-ups to stay in the kitchen when cooking. Keep things that can burn (potholders, towels, and paper) away from the stove.
- Stay three feet away from the stove when a grown-up is cooking.
Electrical check-up
- Help grown-ups check electrical cords to make sure they are not damaged.
Heating Reminders
- Remind grown-ups to keep space heaters 3 feet from anything that can burn.
- Grown-ups should always turn off space heaters every time they leave the room and before going to bed.
- Remind grown-ups never to use an oven to heat your home.
Match and Lighter Safety
- Tell a grown-up if you find matches or lighters
- Grown-ups should keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
Candle Caution
- Remind grown-ups to put out lit candles when they leave a room.
- Stay three feet away from burning candles.
Safety Smart Grown-up Reminders
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area.
- Test smoke alarms once a month.
- Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
- Make a home fire escape plan with your family.
- Find two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place.
- Know the emergency number for your fire department.
- Practice your escape plan twice a year.
- When the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside!
You kids have done a great Job! Visit my site to play games and have a lot of fun.
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com
Sparky: Here is My Story
By Sparky
Sept. 20, 2009
A long time ago, a little Dalmatian puppy sat outside the fence at the school. The puppy loved watching the children play. He wanted to play with the children, but he was very shy.
One day, the puppy followed two children home from school. He curled up under a tree in the front yard to take a nap. Suddenly, he woke up. When he looked up, he saw that the children’s house was on fire. 
The puppy knew he needed to get help. He ran down the street to the fire station, barking all the way.
The puppy saw the firefighters jump on their trucks and leave. He tried to run behind them, but his little legs could not keep up. When he got back to the house, he looked all around for the children but could not see them. He was very worried.
After the fire was out, the firefighters noticed the sad-looking puppy shivering under a tree.
“Look, it’s the little puppy we saw at the station.” Firefighter Janet scooped up the puppy in her arms “Hey, little guy, where do you live?”
“I know,” said Firefighter Janet, “let’s take him to see the family. I’ll bet he could cheer up the kids,” said the firefighter. She knocked on the door. The puppy could barely believe his eyes!
The children were safe! They hugged the puppy and he wagged his tail.
“Do you know who this puppy belongs to?” asked the firefigher. “He’s a real hero, he ran all the way to the fire station to let us know there was a fire at your house.”
“I guess that makes him a fire dog. Maybe we should call him Sparky. Sparky the Fire Dog, said the firefighter.” Sparky found a new home at the fire station.
Sparky was very proud of his new name and loved his new home at the fire station. He worked hard to teach children and their families everywhere how to stop fires from happening.
Source: Sparky
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Back to School Safety Tips
By Sparky
August 30, 2009
Say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. It’s school time again! Just like teachers, books, and homework go hand in hand with the school year, so should safety.
- While waiting for the bus, take five giant steps back from the curb until the bus has stopped completely.
- Inside the bus, stay seated at all times.
- Keep head, arms and hands inside the bus. Never throw anything out of the bus window.
- Always hold on to the bus handrails when you are getting on or off the bus so you don’t fall.
- Be careful that clothing, book bags, and key rings don’t get caught in the handrails or doors
- When getting off the bus, go to the closest sidewalk or side of the road and take five giant steps away from the bus.
- If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. If you bend over to pick it up, the bus driver may not be able to see you
- Children under age 10 should never cross a street without a grown-up.
- Choose a safe route to school. Look for the most direct route with the
fewest street crossings. - When crossing the street, stop at the curb or edge of the road.
- Look left, then right, then left again for moving cars before crossing.
- Keep looking left and right until you are safely across the street – and remember to walk, not run.
- Follow all traffic signals and markings.
- Don’t enter the street from between parked cars or from behind bushes or shrubs. Drivers might not be able to see you.
- If you are old enough to ride alone, plan a safe route to school and have a grown-up ride with you the first few times.
- Children under 10 shouldn’t ride on the road without a grown-up.
- Be sure that your helmet fits. It should sit even on top of the head –not rocking in any direction–and always fasten the safety strap.
- Learn the proper hand signals and use them when you turn or stop.
- Walk, do not ride your bike accross the street.
- Come to a complete stop before entering driveways, paths or sidewalks, then look left, right and left again for bikes, cars or pedestrians heading your way.
- Do not ride at night.
And last, but not least, if you are riding in a car to school the safest place to
be if you are 12 years old or younger is in the back seat buckled up safely. Remember, you should be in a booster seat until you are eight years old and 80 pounds.
Source: Sparky
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Children and Fire
By Sparky
July 26, 2009
Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners are most likely to start these fires, typically by playing with matches and lighters, and are most likely to die in them.
Facts & figures
- In 2006, children playing with fire started an estimated 14,500 structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments, causing an estimated 130 civilian deaths, 810 civilian injuries and $328 million in direct property damage.
- Nearly two-thirds (63%) of all fatal victims of fires by playing are children 5 years old and younger.
- Nearly two out of every three child-playing fires — and four out of five associated deaths and injuries — involve matches or lighters.
- The items ignited by home fire-play are principally mattresses, bedding or clothing.
Safety tips
- Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.
- If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.
- Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember child-resistant does not mean child proof.
- Teach young children and school-age children to tell an adult if they see matches or lighters.
- Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.
- If you suspect your child is intentionally setting fires or unduly fascinated with fire, get help. Your local fire department, school, or community counseling agency can put you in touch with trained experts.
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Sleep Over Fire Safety Tips
by Sparky
July 10, 2009
Before you permit your child to sleep over with a friend, talk to the child’s parents. “Depending on what you learn, it can either uncover serious fire dangers or give you peace of mind during your child’s sleepover.” Here is a Check list supplied by NFPA.
Before you say “yes”
How well do you know the home?
Is the home clean? Does it appear to be structurally sound?
Is the home in a safe area?
If the home has security bars on doors and windows, do you know for certain that the bars have quick release devices inside, so your child could get out in an emergency?
Is your child comfortable in the home and with all the occupants?
Are you comfortable leaving your child in the home overnight?
How well do you know the parent(s)?
Are they mature, responsible and conscientious?
Will they supervise the children throughout the stay?
Will they remain sober and attentive?
Are they cautious with smoking materials, matches and lighters, and candles?
Ask the parents
Are there working smoke alarms on every level, throughout their home? Are the alarms interconnected?
Do they have a well-rehearsed fire escape plan that includes two ways out and a meeting place outside?
Where will your child be sleeping? Is there a smoke alarm in or near the room? Are there two escape routes from the room?
Will the parents walk through their escape plan with your child?
Do the parents prohibit bedroom candle use by children?
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Kids Ask Sparky – About Playing with Matches
by Sparky
June 25, 2009
Here’s your chance to ask me questions you may about safety. I’ll try to answer as many questions as I can, but I receive a lot of mail, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see your question right away. Be sure to include your first name, your age, and your hometown.
(Q) What happens when you play with matches?
(A) When playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners are most likely to start these fires, typically by playing with matches and lighters, and are most likely to die in them.
Safety tips
- Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.
- If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.
- Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember child-resistant does not mean child proof.
- Teach young children and school-age children to tell an adult if they see matches or lighters.
- Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.
- If you suspect your child is intentionally setting fires or unduly fascinated with fire, get help. Your local fire department, school, or community counseling agency can put you in touch with trained experts.
Source: NFPA and Sparky the Fire Dog
Editor’s Note: We would like to hear from you and tell us what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Kids Ask Sparky the Fire Dog
by Sparky
May 24, 2009
Here’s your chance to ask me questions you may about safety. I’ll try to answer as many questions as I can, but I receive a lot of mail, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see your question right away. Be sure to include your first name, your age, and your hometown.
(Q) What is fire safety?
(A) Fire safety means taking simple steps to prevent fires from starting.
(Q) How can I be safe from fire?
(A) There are many steps you can take to be safe from fire, and they’re all easy. Following are ten key tips to stay fire-safe:
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- In the kitchen, keep your stove clean and uncluttered. Make sure a grown-up stands next to the stove all the time when something is cooking on it.
- If there are adults in your home who smoke, they should use large, non-tip ashtrays. When they’re finished smoking, they should either flush the cigarette butts down the toilet or rinse them with water before throwing them away.
- If you see matches or lighters, don’t touch them! Tell a grown-up where you found them and ask to have the matches and lighters locked up high and away from all kids in your home.
- If your family uses portable or space heaters, make sure they’re at least three feet away from walls, furniture, and anything that can burn. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep!
- If your home has a fireplace, make sure there’s a sturdy screen in front of it when it’s being used. Only put kindling in the fireplace to keep a fire going Ð don’t burn wrapping paper or other items in your fireplace.
- Make sure electrical cords are in good condition. (Ask a grown-up to unplug appliances before you inspect the cords.)
- Keep paint, gasoline, and other flammable liquids stored away from heat, flame, and sparks.
- Make sure candles holders are heavy, sturdy, and large enough to hold candles upright.
- Check to see that there’s at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and in or near all sleeping areas. Ask a grown-up to help you push the test button to make sure they’re working.
- Keep all the exits in your home clear of toys, trash, and clutter.
Source: Sparky
Kids Ask Sparky the Fire Dog
by Sparky
May 11, 2009
Here’s your chance to ask me questions you may about safety. I’ll try to answer as many questions as I can, but I receive a lot of mail, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see your question right away. Be sure to include your first name, your age, and your hometown.
(Q) How many firesdo you go to each year?
(A) Unfortunately, I go to way too may fires each year. What makes me sad is that most of those fires could have been prevented had people taken some simple safety precautions. Read the answer to my next question to find out simple safety steps you can take to be safe from fire.
(Q) How do fires start?
(A) All fires require fuel, heat, and oxygen. The fuel is anything that can burn. The heat can come from many things, such as a lighted match, a stove, or a heater. Oxygen is in the air, and that let’s the fire breathe and grow. Fires can start for many reasons. A lot of home fires start in kitchens where people are cooking. Many other home fires are caused by heating equipment. Home fires can also be caused by candles, electrical appliances, and cigarette butts. These are just a few examples of how fires can start. Fortunately, there are lots of simple steps you can take to prevent almost all fires. (Go up three questions to learn how you can keep your home safe from fire.
Source: Sparky the Fire Dog