Install and maintain a working smoke detector.
Plan an escape route in case of a fire.
Make sure children understand how to stop, drop and roll.
It's always important to be thinking about fire safety, says Capt. Jim Gentile of the Omaha Fire Department spokesman.
But when tragedy captures people's attention, it's worth pointing out again the measures everyone can take to stay safe.
Gentile said Wednesday that two recent fire-related incidents, even though they didn't happen inside Omaha's city limits, are strong reminders that education is a powerful tool for prevention.
On Tuesday in Norfolk, two children died of smoke inhalation. They were hiding in a bedroom as a fire destroyed a house that had no working smoking detectors.
On Monday night in Bellevue, an 8-year-old boy was burned while he and five other kids were playing with gasoline and fire. The boy has been released from the hospital and is expected to recover after suffering burns along the right side of his body.
“Every time we have situations like this, it's a good time to remind people that we don't want to see anybody get hurt,” Gentile said.
“These things are so unfortunate, but they put a reality behind the message we're trying to get out.”
Gentile said people have a 50-percent greater chance of surviving a fire if they have a working smoke alarm.
In Omaha, homeowners can get a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm or combo alarm installed by firefighters free of charge. They can reserve a new alarm by calling 444-3560, he said.
Gentile said the two incidents also highlight the importance of teaching fire safety to kids.
Children should be taught never to try to hide from a fire by crawling under a bed or shutting themselves in a closet. Families should plan two routes of escape from each room in the house, and kids should be told to exit the house quickly and go to a predetermined meeting point.
For children who show an interest in playing with fire, Gentile encouraged parents or guardians to consider the Omaha Fire Department's juvenile fire setter program. It contains both an educational program and a diversion program.
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