After some quick thinking, a teenage babysitter helped save two siblings from a house fire Wednesday night.
Just after 7:30 p.m., Firefighters had arrived at 400 Smith Road and found heavy fire conditions through the entire top floor of the residence, according to Captain Brian Fuller with Coweta County Fire Rescue.
Fuller said that the homeowners were away from the residence when the fire started and a babysitter was at the home watching a pair of 2-year-old twins.
The babysitter reportedly stated that the fire started in the playroom and one of the children alerted her that there was a fire, according to Fuller. The Babysitter then removed both children from the home, called 911, and attempted to extinguish the fire.
The fire had traveled through the entire attic of the home prior to fire department arrival.
Fire units worked in a defensive strategy due to the heavy fire volume in the structure. Aerial fire suppression and several hand lines were used to extinguish the fire.
No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Fire Safety For Kids by Kids Safety Network
Nobody thinks they’re going to have to deal with an emergency like a house fire, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to preparing your children for the worst. In 2014, there were 1,298,000 fires reported in the United States. Now might be a good time to sit down and discuss fire safety for kids.
Here Are Five Essential Tips.
-
Never try to put out a fire yourself.
Stress to your children this important fact: it’s not their responsibility to put out a fire, fleeing the area should be their #1 priority. Make sure your children know that extinguishing fires is a job for firemen, not them. The only thing on their minds when they see fire should be to get away. Once they are safe, then they can find an adult for help or call 911 from a neighbor’s home.
-
Stop, Drop & Roll.
If your child finds their clothing on fire, teach them how to Stop (cease all movement and running), Drop (fall to the ground), and Roll (roll around until the fire is out). This is an important skill and while it might be counterintuitive, it can save their life.
-
Go Low. Smoke rises
When fleeing a smoke-filled room, children should crouch down to the ground and leave on their hands and knees. This will minimize smoke inhalation and help them find safety easier. Practice crawling on your hands and knees with your children to drive the message home.
-
Fire is not a toy
Instill in your children a healthy respect for fire. Fire is never to be played with whether it’s a campfire or in the form of matches or lighters. Teach your children that if they see someone playing with fire in any way, they should immediately notify an adult.
-
Plan your escape
Sit your family down and plan escape routes for all areas of your home. Ideally, your home has two exits per room (windows included). Walk your children through the multiple ways of exiting your home in case of a fire.
Nobody wants to find themselves in an emergency situation, but knowing your children are prepared for one, can help put your mind at ease. You’ve got this!