Teach kids to stop, drop and roll

Bill Wilson

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 | 1 a.m.

Bill Wilson

Teaching children Fire Safety techniques is a huge part of Fire Prevention Month, which happens to be in October. The Boulder City Fire Department suggests instructing your children (even the pre-schoolers) about what to do if your clothes catch fire.

Autumn and winter are prime times for this disaster to strike. Campfires, fireplaces, portable heaters and candles make it easy for anyone's clothes to go up in smoke, especially small children who might be attracted by the bright colorful flames.

Stop, drop and roll is the response parents can teach their children when clothes do catch fire.

The steps to teaching this technique are as follows.

1. Explain to your child you are going over some fire safety lessons, and that you are going to teach them what to do if their clothes ever catch fire.

2. Teach your child that stop, drop and roll can save their lives if their clothes ever catch on fire.

3. Tell your child that if their clothes ever catch on fire they need to stop whatever they are doing and drop to the ground.

4. Demonstrate to your child how to drop and then roll.

5. Teach your child to cover his mouth and nose while rolling, to protect his airways from damage.

6. Practice stop, drop and roll at home with your child. Tell them that if they see anyone else's clothes catch fire, to yell "Stop, drop and roll" and to find an adult and call 911.

For more information about fire safety call the Boulder City fire department at 293-9228

Our Boulder City fire fighters would like to invite you to our pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Boulder City Fire Station on Oct. 4. Donations are appreciated.

Bill Wilson, a firefighter-paramedic for the Boulder City Fire Department, can be reached at 293-9228.