By Julie Bisbee
The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK)
The number of children killed in house fires this year likely will surpass figures from 2005. In the last five months, 10 children younger than 16 have died in house fires.
In all, a dozen children have died this year, according to figures from the state fire marshal?s office.
Last year, 15 children younger than 16 died in house fires, according to records compiled by the Chief Medical Examiner?s Office. Officials are worried the death toll could rise as the weather turns colder and people begin using furnaces and space heaters.
“I hate to say this, but the reality is it’s going to get worse before it gets better,” said Robert Doke, state fire marshal. “The way we’re running, we may triple last year’s total.”
In five incidents this year, children younger than 16 died in house fires. In two fires, more than one has died.
In one of Oklahoma?s most deadly fires, five siblings died in Chickasha after a refrigerator fan motor stopped and sparked a fire that consumed the home July 20. Two adults also were killed in that fire. The home didn?t have a smoke alarm, investigators said.
In Panama, three children died when lightning struck their home and caused a fire June 23. Their mother was alerted to the fire by a smoke detector but could not get to the children. She suffered third-degree burns and was found by neighbors running up a dirt road screaming for help, her face black with soot.
This week, two children died in house fires where other members of their families escaped.
A 4-year-old girl died in her Okmulgee home Monday. Her mother, 3 year-old brother and 18-month-old brother were able to escape with the help of carpenters who were working next door. Firefighters say an antiquated 911 system delayed their response time.
Wednesday, a 16-month-old girl died after her parent?s trailer home caught fire. The girl?s mother, father and 3-year-old brother escaped. A working smoke detector has not been found in either home, Doke said. Both fires still are under investigation.
In house fires where children were killed, 68 percent of the homes lacked smoke detectors, according to the Oklahoma Child Death Review Board?s 2004 Annual Report, the latest data available.
“We’re talking about a $6 investment that’s better than life insurance,” Doke said.
Educating families The increase in children killed in house fires is troubling to groups such as Safe Kids Oklahoma, who work to educate families on how to prevent deaths and injuries.
The group continues to educate families and communities, stressing the importance of teaching fire safety to children before they go to school. Most of the children killed in fires in 2004 were younger than 5, according to figures from the Child Death Review Board. In some cases, young children may hide in a closet or under a bed if there is a fire, or worse, they may return to a burning home to save a pet, said Pat Wimberley, development director for Safe Kids Oklahoma.
“They need to know that if there’s smoke or fire, they need to get on the floor and get out to that door,” Wimberley said. “It’s hard when they want to know where mommy is, or they want to know if the doggy or kitty is out.
“We just tell them, ‘Let the firefighters to do their job and you can’t go back in, regardless of what age you are.’ That’s also hard to tell a father who can account for two of his three children.”
Children and fire
Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Dress children in pajamas that meet federal flammability standards. Avoid dressing children for bed in loose-fitting 100-percent cotton garments.
Teach children not to hide from firefighters. Teach them to get out quickly and call for help from another location.
Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay out. Teach them to stop, drop and roll if their clothes catch fire.
Practice a home fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside, such as the light post across the street or a neighbor’s house.
Familiarize children with the sound of the smoke alarm.
Source: U.S. Fire Administration
Accidental fire death totals for last 10 years:
2005 - 117
2004 - 80
2003 - 80
2002 - 67
2001 - 65
2000 - 48
1999 - 67
1998 - 46
1997 - 75
1996 - 81
Ages of accidental fire victims in 2005:
15 and under - 15 deaths.
16 to 19 - 5
30 to 39 - 11
40 to 49 - 17
50 to 59 - 15
60 to 69 - 27
70 to 79 - 14
80 and older - 13