fire safety badge: session 1 - girlguiding · activity help and resources 1. 2. fire safety badge:...

In your kit bag...

Fire Safety Badge: Session 1

Planning a Visit to Your Local Fire Station

Internet access to ook up the number of your

local fire stat on – to make contact and book a

visit Helpfu parents to offer lifts if the FireStat on is too far to walk to

Points to note:

Pre-Visit Thoughts:

a. During the winter, it may be useful to ask for a Saturday morning visit, to ensure that Brownies get tosee the station and equipment in daylight. Failing that, Fire Officers might be willing to visit your meetingplace.

b. It might be worth asking the officer arranging your visit if they would mind if you took some pictures.A range of photos can act as a reminder of the day and may prompt more questions or provide moreanswers.

c. Remember that the Fire Service is an emergency service. That said, if by any chance your visit to the Fire Station is interrupted by an emergency, Fire Officers will always make every effort to re-book.

For more facts see:

� Fire Station Background Facts (for Leaders)

(Help and Resources 1.4)

� Fire Station Eye Spy – What to look for and questions to ask (for Brownies)

(Help and Resources 1.5)

Setting the Scene

When working on the Brownie Fire Safety badge, there canbe no better introduction to the theme than a visit to yourlocal Fire Station. Working with the community to promotefire safety is now a key element of the work of the FireService. Most officers will have received training to workwith community groups and most Fire Stations will offerpre-arranged group tours (on the proviso that visitorsrecognise that they are an emergency service and so toursmay be interrupted).

In order to book a visit to the local Fire Station, Leaders should go to their local Fire Service Website and click ontheir local station or Fire HQ. Telephone numbers should be listed for further enquiry.

Copyright © 2013 Girlguiding/CSEC/Caroline Booth Ltd (T/A The Resource Bank) (1.1)

Activity Help and Resources

1.

2.


It is important when Brownies visit the Fire Station that they watch, listen and learn. Nobody wants to be writing anddrawing when there are lots of things to do and see.However, asking good questions will help to get the mostout of the visit.

Leaders may want to use Fire Station Eye Spy (Help andresources p.1.5/1.6) to ensure that each Brownie has a question to ask or an item to look for at the Station. Following the visit they can then share their answers back at the Brownie meeting place. (Brownies might want to make a display of their answers.)

In order to get the most out of the Fire Station visit, the activities that follow could be used as ‘pre-visit preparation’.

Some things to do before the visit…

Making a 999 Call

Eye Spy Fire Station!

Knowing how and when to make a 999 call is a key safetyskill, so Leaders may want to take the Brownies throughthe following activity before their Fire Station visit.

a. Some key facts for Leaders:

• In the UK the emergency number is 999NB: 112 is the European emergency number, reachable from fixed and mobile phones, free of charge, everywhere in the EU (including the UK).

• All 999 calls are free from any phone – you don’t need money, phone credit or a phone card.

• All 999 calls are taped and can be traced.• Hoax calls are dangerous, illegal and easy to trace

and people who make them can be prosecuted.

Why are hoax calls dangerous?

There is a limited number of fire appliances (fire engines),ambulances and police response units in any area andthey cannot be in two places at one time.

If they go to a hoax callout and are then needed for a genuine emergency, they might not make it in time.

If you have time: try to find out how many fire appliances your local Fire Service has in total. You might

be surprised by the answer!

Key Facts

999

Copyright © 2013 Girlguiding/CSEC/Caroline Booth Ltd (T/A The Resource Bank)(1.2)

Activity Help and Resources

1.


b. A 999 Activity

To begin this activity you will need two telephones (theycan be mobile or toy, it doesn’t matter – this is just for therole play).

(i) Seat the Brownies in a circle and then ask them ifanyone has ever had to make a 999 call. If so, whenand why? NB: If a Brownie has ever had to make a 999call this might have been a distressing experience.Discussion may require sensitivity on the part of theLeader and other Brownies.

(ii) Talk about when a 999 call is the right thing to do and when it is unnecessary. (See Help and ResourcesSection p.1.9/1.10 for help with this discussion.)

(iii) Take the 999 cards (download from Help andResources p.1.7/1.8) and spread them face down onthe floor in the circle. Ask for a Brownie volunteer tochoose a card, pick it up, look at it and then make the999 call. When the Brownie dials 999 the Leaderanswers the call, working from the advice and scriptprovided in the Help and Resources Section(p.1.9/1.10).

Beware – some of the cards would not warrant a 999 call. See if the Brownies spot them!

(iv) Work through at least four cards with the Brownies, so that they become familiar with the questions thatwould be asked and the information that is requiredby a 999 operator.

Calling the Emerge

ncy Services

You should only call he emergency services if a situation is life threatening or l fe altering

Once you have made the emergency call, discuss how these accidents could have been avoided

You hear a loud cr

ash.

Mum has slipped o

n the stairs.

She tells you she i

s fine,

but her leg is reall

y painful.

You and your frien

d are climbing

the big tree in her

back garden.

Your friend’s foot s

lips

and she falls and

lands

awkwardly on her

hand.

Her finger really h

urts and is

starting to really s

well.

Granny was sortin

g out her

many pills for the

week when

the phone rang.

When she went to

answer it,

your three year ol

d sister came

into the room, tho

ught they

looked like sweet

s, and has

eaten some of them

.

You are in the livi

ng room

and see something

fall past

the window.

Your little brother

has climbed

onto his bedroom w

indowsill

and fallen out on

to the

grass below.

He is howling.

Your Dad is using

his hammer.

He is distracted by

you and

your brother argu

ing.

He slips and bangs

the

hammer into his f

inger.

You hear a crash o

utside.

Your sister was pla

ying on her

bike, and has cycle

d behind

a neighbour’s car

as it reversed

out of their drivew

ay.

The car was going

very slowly,

but she has been k

nocked

off her bike and is

crying.

Help and Resource

s

Fire Safety Badge

: Session 1

Calling the Emerge

ncy Services

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

1 6

Copy ight © 2010 G

i lguiding UK/CSEC

/The Resource Bank

Your Grandad has a routine

appointment at the hospital.

An ambulance usually comes

to pick him up to take him

there, but it is 20 minutes late.

Racing your friend down the hill

on your scooters, she comes

round the corner too fast and

falls off.She has grazed her knees

and her hands, and her trousers

are ripped.

While Dad was cutting a melon

for lunch, the knife slipped

and he cut his hand.

There is a lot of blood, and the

cut is about 4cm long and

quite deep.

You hear a bang and a loud

scream from the kitchen.

Your one year old brother

has reached up and pulled

a hot cup of black coffee

down over his head.He is howling.

You and your friend are playing

on the trampoline in the garden.

Your friend is showing off her

back flips, but gets too close to

the edge.She falls off and lands on her

head and shoulder.She is not moving.

Your neighbour is cutting the

hedge between your gardens.

There is a flash of light and he

is thrown backwards.

He has cut through the power

cable, and is now lying on the

ground, not moving.

Your aunty is a diabetic.

You and your Mum go to visit

her but there is no answer at

the door.When you look through the

window you see her lying on

the floor.

Mum is chatting on the phone

and has left a pan of hot oil

on the stove.

When she goes back into the

kitchen she is met by thick

smoke and can see flames.

g.

h.

i.

j.

k.

l.

m.

n.

1 7

Copyright © 2010 Girlguiding UK CSEC/The Resource Bank


Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 1

Fire Station Visit: Some Background Facts• There are 58 Fire Brigades in the United Kingdom.

• There are 46 fire control rooms in England and when you dial 999 or 112 your call will go to one of these control centres.

• They employ around 36,000 firefighters (that’s about one firefighter for every 1,500 people in the UK). About 500 of these firefighters are women.

• Fire Officers provide year-round, 24-hour cover. They work in teams called ‘Watches’.

• The Brigades respond to over a million emergency calls every year (about 2,500 every day). Over half of these calls are false alarms.

• Fire Officers have no problem with well-intentioned false alarms – but hoax calls are a different matter. Fire appliances cannot be in two places at once and hoax calls can cost lives.

• All fire and rescue services have community-based fire safety departments.

• The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 says that a fire and rescue authority must promote fire safety in its area and target all sections of the community (so yes, they will be happy to talk to Brownies!). Fire Brigades organise all kinds of events for young people and hold Station open days.

• Fire Brigades do not have as many fire engines as you would imagine. Even the largest brigades have limited numbers (NB: firefighters call fire engines ‘appliances’).

• All 999 calls are recorded and can be traced.

Some interesting websites:

Direct.gov has an interesting children’s fire safety section. The link below takes you to aFire Station rest room. By clicking on objects in the room you can access DVD footage ofa day in the life of a Fire Officer, an emergency callout and the audio file of a 999 call.

http://kids.direct.gov.uk/main.aspx?firstObject=fire_station

The direct.gov ‘Fire kills’ website also has a lot of useful information about fire and fire safety.

http://firekills.direct.gov.uk/index.html


Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 1

1.What do Fire Officersmean when they talkabout a ‘watch’?

Fire Station Eye Spy / Super SpottersIt is important when you visit the Fire Station to watch, listenand learn. Nobody wants to be writing and drawing whenthere are lots of things to do and see. However, asking goodquestions will help you to get the most out of your visit. Takea look at the questions below. Ask each Six or Brownie tochoose a question to ask, or an item to look for at theStation. They could share their answers when they get backto the Brownie meeting place.

Brownies might want to fill in their answers and display them.Questions

2.How many FireEngines (appliances)are there at thestation? Are theyboth/all the same ordo they do differentjobs?

3.What is the mostcommon type of firethat the officers arecalled to deal with?

4.What do Fire Officersdo when they arenot out on a fire call?

5.Are there any female Fire Officers on the station?

6.How do the Fire Officersknow when an emergencycall comes in? (Can theOfficers show you themachine that tells themwhere to go and whatthey are going to?)


7.What do they dowhen an emergencycall comes in?

8.About how long does it take them to reach a fire?

9.Why is it soimportant thatfirefighters get to afire quickly?

10. What is kept in thelockers on the sidesof a fire appliance?

11. What does thefirefighters’ uniformlook like? What is itmade from? Why dothey need eachpiece?

12. How much water can the fireappliances carry?

13. What happenswhen the water inthe tank on the fireappliance runs out?

14. How much does itcost to make a 999call?

15. Does the Fire Stationhave a smokealarm? Can you see any?


Calling the Emergency ServicesYou should only call the emergency services if a situation is life threatening or life altering.Once you have made the emergency call, discuss how these accidents could have been avoided.

NB: Some girls might find these examples distressing. Leaders should use their own judgement about whichscenarios to read out.

You hear a loud crash.Mum has slipped on the stairs.

She tells you she is fine, but her leg is really painful.

You and your friend are climbingthe big tree in her back garden.

Your friend’s foot slips and she falls and lands awkwardly on her hand.

Her finger really hurts and is starting to swell.

Granny was sorting out her many pills for the week when

the phone rang.

When she went to answer it, your three-year-old sister cameinto the room, thought they looked like sweets, and has

eaten some of them.

You are in the living room and see something fall past

the window.

Your little brother has climbed onto his bedroom windowsill

and fallen out on to the grass below.

He is howling.

Your Dad is using his hammer.

He is distracted by you and your brother arguing.

He slips and bangs the hammer into his finger.

You hear a crash outside.

Your sister was playing on herbike, and has cycled behind

a neighbour’s car as it reversed out of their driveway.

The car was going very slowly, but she has been knockedoff her bike and is crying.

Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 1Calling the Emergency Services

a. b.

c. d.

e. f.


Your Grandad has a routine appointment at the hospital.

An ambulance usually comes to pick him up to take him

there, but it is 20 minutes late.

While Dad was cutting a melon for lunch, the knife slipped

and he cut his hand.

There is a lot of blood, and the cut is about 4cm long and

quite deep.

You hear a bang and a loudscream from the kitchen.

Your one-year-old brother has reached up and pulled a hot cup of black coffee down over his head.

He is howling.

You and your friend are playing on the trampoline in the garden.

Your friend is showing off her back flips, but gets too

close to the edge.

She falls off and lands on her head and shoulder.

She is not moving.

Your neighbour is cutting the hedge between your gardens.

There is a flash of light and he is thrown backwards.

He has cut through the powercable, and is now lying on the

ground, not moving.

Your Aunty is diabetic.

You and your Mum go to visit her but there is no answer at

the door.

When you look through the window you see her lying on

the floor.

Mum is chatting on the phone and has left a pan of hot oil

on the stove.

When she goes back into thekitchen she is met by thick smoke and can see flames.

g.

i. j.

k. l.

m. n.


You are racing your friend downthe hill on your scooters.

She comes round the corner too fast and falls off.

She has grazed her knees and her hands, and her trousers are ripped.

h.

Note for Leaders

Situations which do NOT warrant an emergency callc. Fall from the tree. Her finger may be broken or dislocated, and should be looked at, but this is not

an emergency. She should be taken to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department or Minor Injuries Unit.

f. Dad and his hammer. As above.g. Routine ambulance not turning up for Grandad. You should contact the hospital or the service

which provides the routine ambulance – not 999.h. Scooter race. The grazes should be properly cleaned and dressed, but it is not likely that she will even

need to see a doctor, let alone the emergency services. Keep an eye on the grazes in case they becomeinfected.

i. Dad’s cut hand. As long as the bleeding can be stopped, this is not an emergency. Dad should sit down, hold something clean and non-fluffy to the cut, apply pressure and keep it elevated (held up above the level of his heart). A cut this size and depth may require a stitch or two, so it would be worth contacting your doctor’s surgery, out-of-hours service or minor injuries unit.

Situations which DO warrant an emergency calla. Mum slipped on the stairs. If Mum can’t move by herself, then she does need to be checked out by

the paramedics. Do not try to move her, you will be advised on the phone about what to do while the ambulance is on its way.

b. Sister on bike and neighbour’s car. She needs to be looked at by paramedics and taken to hospital to be fully checked over.

d. Sister taken Granny’s pills. She must be taken to hospital straight away along with the pill bottles so the doctors know what she might have taken.

e. Brother falling out of window. He needs to be looked at by paramedics and taken to hospital tobe fully checked over.

j. Brother and black coffee. Call an ambulance and cool the scalded area it arrives, preferablyunder cold running water. You will be given advice on the phone from the emergency services. Youngchildren have much thinner skin than adults and burn very easily.

k. Trampoline. She needs to be looked at by paramedics and taken to hospital to be fully checked over. Do not try to move her, you will be advised on the phone about what to do while the ambulance is on its way.

l. Neighbour cutting the hedge. Do not touch him or the hedge cutter or wires as you may get an electric shock. Phone for an ambulance.

m.Diabetic Aunty. Needs expert medical help straight away from an ambulance.n. Oil fire. As with any fire – get out, stay out and call the Fire Service out. Closing doors behind you on

your way out will help slow the spread of the fire.


Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 1Script for 999 call

Script for 999 call

The following is an example of the types of question you will be asked if you call 999. The script is standard at the beginning, but will vary later on depending on the situation and responses. The most important thing is that the caller can clearly describe where they are and what has happened.

999 OperatorEmergency – which service do you require?

Please hold the line. I am putting you through to the Ambulance Service.

Ambulance ServiceThis is the Ambulance Service – what telephone number are you calling from?

What is your name?

What address are you calling from?

Can you tell me what has happened?

An ambulance is on its way. I am going ask you a few more questions. This will not delay the ambulance.

Is the person conscious or unconscious? (Can you talk to them, are they awake?)

(Continue to ask questions until you have a clear idea of what has happened.)

Don’t worry; I will stay on the line with you until the ambulance gets there.

The operator will stay on the line and provide advice and reassurance. They will know how far away the ambulance is and may also suggest ways to make it easier for the ambulance to find them.

If a Brownie is in any doubt as to whether to make a 999 call, she should call. The operator will help her decide if it is an emergency and will give advice if she is genuinely unsure and very worried. She will not get into trouble.

However, if she calls 999 about something which is not real, this is called a hoax call. Hoaxcalls can cost lives as the emergency services have to respond to all calls, and a hoax callmay take them away from a genuine emergency. All calls to 999 are taped and can be traced.

Facts to Focus on



To stay safe from fire you need some basic skills and knowledge. To help you refresh your knowledge, here are a few ‘pointers’.

Help! Fire!(Looking at Smoke Alarms and Fire Escape Plans)

Smoke alarms and fire escape plans are the two first lines of defence in case of a fire. Quite simply they areproven lifesavers. Why?

Because a fire can start, grow and completely burn out a room in less than five minutes. Given that it takes about this length of time for a Fire Brigade to respond to a callout, the advantages of an early warning are clear.

Because smoke is a silent killer. Many fires happen at night and just a few breaths of carbon monoxide-ladensmoke can kill. Some people believe that the smell of the smoke would alert them or wake them up. This is not true.

Because fire can cause panic. All family members should know what to do in case of fire: shout to alert others and then get out, stay out and call the Fire Brigade out.

A minimum of two smoke alarms should be fitted to the ceiling in upstairs and downstairs hallways of homes. They may also be fitted in rooms that could be considered high risk (eg home offices with lots of electrical equipment).

Smoke Alarms should not be fitted:

a. in kitchens – burnt toast and smoky cooking may set them off b. in bathrooms – steam may also set the smoke alarms off.

Some modern smoke alarms are hard wired (ie built in and connected to the mains).Others may have ten-year batteries or ordinary batteries.

Whatever the power source, they should be tested regularly (once a week) by pressing the test button on thesmoke alarm casing. Standard life batteries should be replaced each year on a memorable date.

NB: A smoke alarm with a low battery will generally emit an annoying intermittent beep to remind you to change it.

Golden rule: Never ever take the battery out of a smoke alarmto use elsewhere or to stop it going off (eg after burning toast!).

2. Some Smoke Alarm Basics

!

1. Why are Smoke Alarms and Fire Escape Plans so important?


Setting the Scene


Throw pillows or blankets out of the window and lower yourself toarm’s length before gently dropping to safety. Do not try this if theroom is more than one floor up.

Plan 3: If help does not arrive quickly enough...

Plan 2: If fire and smoke block your way...

Plan 1: If you think you can escape...

Block any gaps around the door to your room using towels orclothes (this will stop smoke getting in). If there is a phone in theroom dial 999 or open the window and shout FIRE as loud as youcan. Wait for the Fire Brigade to arrive.

NB: If at all possible, the best room to do this in is one with a window that opens out onto a flat roof or porch.

If your way is not blocked by flames or intense smoke, shout loudlyand wake / alert everyone in your house. Use the quickest andsafest exit to get out of the house. Don’t stop to collect things,make calls or open any doors to see the fire. When you are out ofthe house, use a call box or neighbour’s phone to dial 999.

NB: If your exit route from the house is smoke filled, but there areno signs of flames, crawl under the smoke to reach your exit. Hot airand smoke rise. The air closer to the ground is often clearer.

In case of a fire there are three main escape plans. (See Help and Resources – The Great Escape p.2.11/2.12)

3. Fire Escape Plan Basics

NB: Some Fire Brigades only recommend and teach escape plan 1 and plan 2. Check this with your local brigade before working through this session with the Brownies.

2 11

Copyr ght © 2010 G rlgu ding UK/CSEC/The Resource Bank

2 12

Copyright © 2010 Gir guid ng UK/CSEC/The Resource Bank


Time Activity Help and Resources

1.10mins

In your kit bag...


2.30mins

When all of the Brownies have arrived for the session, but arestill milling around, stand in the middle of the hall with a smokealarm and set it off by holding down the test button.This should gain immediate attention! Use your free hand togesture them to come and sit in a circle at your feet. When everyone is seated, release the button, stop the alarm and askthe following questions:Q: Was there anyone who did not hear this?Q: What am I holding in my hand?Q: What is it for? / What does it do?Q: What does it mean when one goes off? What should you do?Q: Why does the alarm need to be so loud?Q: Smoke alarms are life savers – can you explain why?Q: Where should a smoke alarm be fitted? Is one smoke

alarm enough?During this discussion Leaders should try to bring in all of thekey facts about smoke alarms.

After the initial discussion, ask the Brownies to widen their circleand in the middle of the circle place two large but simple plandiagrams of the upstairs and downstairs of a house. These canbe drawn out with felt pens on an old piece of white sheeting or on sheets of plain wallpaper liner. (See diagrams (i) and (ii) opposite.)a. Talk to the Brownies about each plan, making sure that they

understand that this is a view of the floor of a house as seen from above and that it shows different rooms, hallways, doors and windows etc. (Most Brownies should understand this by the age of seven – but it is worth checking and going over the basics.)

b. Next, produce two small circles with a red dot drawn in their centre. Explain that these are smoke alarms. Ask the Brownies where they think they should be ‘fitted’ on the plan, to be the most effective in case of fire. Discuss good and bad places for smoke alarms.

c. Finally, read each of the fire stories in Help and Resources – p.2.6 / 2.7). Can the Brownies suggest an escape plan for each story? NB: small cardboard cutout figures of the characters in the story or small dolls are needed for this activity.

Help! Fire! • 2 small discs to represent smoke alarms

• Smoke alarm • Plan of house upstairs & downstairs

• Small paper ‘clouds of smoke’ • Small paper flames

• Small dolls to represent people in the house plans

Help & Resources p2.6 and 2.7

Making a start

Learning to plan ahead

(i)

(ii)



3.10mins

There is a lot of talk, information and learning in the early parts of this session. At this point the Brownies will probably need to ‘let off some steam’. The following games may help.

Divide the Brownies into groups of six.

Each Brownie chooses a role from the following:

� the person in the fire situation

� the smoke alarm

� the smoke

� the flames

� the 999 operator

� the Fire Brigade.

Give each group one of the 999 Fire Cards (Help andResources p.2.8) and ask them to spend 10 minutes workingout a small play to show the unit or other Brownies what theyshould do in each situation.

Stop, drop and roll is a really useful technique to know about incase clothing catches fire (it’s also excellent fun to practise!).

Explain to the Brownies that they would be able to tell straightaway if their skin touched something hot because they wouldfeel it, but your clothing might start to smoulder and burnwithout you noticing it.

If this happens – don’t panic. Follow three steps to put out the flames.

STOP – don’t run, this will make the fire worse.

DROP – get down onto the floor quickly.

ROLL – roll over and over. This will put out the flames. Shout for help.

(For more information re: burns first aid see Help andResources p.2.13.)

Next ask the Brownies to spread out. Read out the followingscenarios and ask them to respond accordingly! (NB: theyshould shout STOP, DROP AND ROLL and then do it!)

Letting off Steam! Suggestions for freegames

a. Escape!

b. Stop, Drop and Roll 1. Stop

2. Drop

3. Roll

Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 2Letting Off Steam

2 8

999 Fire Cards

1.Ryna is playing on the computer in her room Suddenly she hears the smoke alarm go off in the downstairs hall She peers over the bannister and sees her mum runningout of the k tchen shouting that the gri l has caught fire What should they do?

2.Pippa’s dad is using a blowtorch to take paint off the window frame in the dining roomwhere he’s decorating He puts the torch down without turning it off and two rags covered in white spirit burst into flames The rags drop to the floor and set fire to thecarpet underlay Help, what should he do?

3.Ellen is planning a relaxing bath Her mum is downstairs and so she decides that shewill ight the scented candles around the bathtub, just as her mum does She reachesfor the matches in the bathroom cupboard and lights three candles on the windowsillEllen then goes to her room to get her pyjamas When she returns to the bathroom the window blind has caught fire and the flames are leaping close to the ce ling Help, what should she do?

4.Meagan loves to use her hair straighteners She plugged them in and left them on herbedspread but then forgot about them and went downstairs to watch the television A short while later she heard the upstairs smoke alarm going off She looked out of thelounge door to see smoke coming down from the landing Help, what should she do?

5.Ling’s mum and dad love to light a real fire in the winter They lit the fire in the loungeand then went to have tea in the kitchen Ling suddenly smelt smoke and so her dadwent to check on the fire He came running back to say a piece of coal had droppedout of the fire and onto the rug setting the carpet on fire Help, what should they do?

Copy ight © 2010 Girlguiding UK CSEC/The Resource Bank



Stop, Drop and Roll Scenarios

(i) It’s bonfire night. It’s dark and rainy and really cold.

You sneak closer and closer and closer to the bonfire to

get warm. The fire is crackling and sparks are jumping

out of the fire. Suddenly someone shouts really loud:

‘Watch out the sleeve of your jacket is on fire!’.

(ii) You have just had a bath and you are cosy and warm

in your nightie. You want to comb out your wet hair and

so you go to look at yourself in the mirror over the fire.

The fire is on full and suddenly you smell burning.

Help, the hem of your nightie is smoking!

(iii) It’s a hot summer day. You are all in the garden having

a BBQ. Dad is wearing a silly chef’s hat and apron.

He’s flipping burgers and sausages on the BBQ grill

when he turns to laugh and joke with your uncle.

When he turns around he sees the corner of his apron

has set alight.

Each Brownie could try to draw a plan of their home, upstairsand down. They can then mark on all the exits and discusshow they and their family could get out of the house safely,in case of fire. Brownies could bring their sketched plansback in with them the following week. They could also askthe adults in their family to check whether or not they have asmoke alarm and if it is working (it is likely however that thefire visit in session one of this badge will have raised thisquestion).

Follow-up Activities

Home Based

3.

4.

5.

Cont


As a quiet activity at the end of the session, the Brownies mightlike to try to make a pop-up booklet of the three main fireescape plans. The template for making this is shown in Helpand Resources (p.2.9/2.10). Both sheets should be copied andthen glued back to back. Cutting and folding lines are indicated.Brownies can then use this pop-up – or a copy of ‘The GreatEscape’ (Help and Resources p.2.11/2.12) to help them workwith their own family to design an escape plan for their home.NB: Before using ‘The Great Escape’, check with your local FireBrigade to see which escape plans they recommend. (See note at the bottom of p.2.2.)

Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 2Learning to Plan AheadFire Stories

NB: Small cardboard cut-out figures of the Smith family characters are needed for thisactivity. Alternatively, small dolls could be used.

Story 3

It’s in the afternoon. Mr Smith has been working nights and so he’s asleep in bed (ask a Brownie to put the doll figures in the correct place). Mrs Smith has gone to school to collect the children.Suddenly the smoke alarm goes off. Mr Smith wakes with a start andsees smoke curling under the bedroom door. What should he do?

Story 1

The Smith family (Mum, Dad, James and Helen) are all sitting in thedining room having their tea (ask a Brownie to put all of the doll figuresin the correct place). Dad has cooked their favourite meal. Halfwaythough their meal, Helen Smith says she can smell burning. Dad goesinto the hall and sees smoke coming from under the kitchen door.What should the family do? How can they escape?

Story 2

It’s late at night and all of the Smiths are in bed fast asleep (ask aBrownie to put all of the doll figures in the correct place). Suddenly thesmoke alarm starts to shriek. It’s very loud and everyone wakes up except James (he’s a really deep sleeper). Mum rushes onto the landing and sees some smoke coming from under the living room door.What should she do? What should she not do?


Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 2Learning to Plan Ahead

Fire Stories (suggested ‘answers’)

Story 3 – Possible Solution

First, use the back of your hand to test the door to see if it is hot. If the door is hot and there issmoke coming underneath it DO NOT OPEN IT. The door is your main barrier to the fire.Quickly block the gaps around the door to stop smoke getting into the room.

If there is a phone in the room dial 999 and wait for the Fire Brigade to arrive.

If there is no phone, open the windows and shout ‘Fire!’ as loudly as possible. Alert passers byand ask them to dial 999.

If help does not arrive quickly enough, throw pillows or blankets out of the window and loweryourself to arm’s length before gently dropping to safety. Do not try this if the room is morethan one floor up.


If there is only a small amount of smoke in the hall and the way to the front door is clear, thenthe family should all quickly leave the house by the front door. If the hallway is filling withsmoke and the patio doors can be easily opened then the family should close the diningroom door and leave quickly by the patio doors. Once they are all out they should use aneighbour’s phone or call box to dial 999 and wait for the Fire Brigade to arrive. NOBODYSHOULD GO BACK INTO THE HOUSE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

NB: Fire Brigades recommend that the keys to locked doors and windows should always bestored close by in case of emergency.


First of all, shout ‘Fire!’ to wake everyone up – go into the room and shake James awake if necessary. Next, if there is only a small amount of smoke in the hall and the exit to the frontdoor is clear, everyone should quickly make their way out (not running). NB: they may need tocrawl under the smoke if it is thicker.

Once they are all out, they should use a neighbour’s phone or call box to dial 999 and wait forthe Fire Brigade to arrive. NOBODY SHOULD GO BACK INTO THE HOUSE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

If the hall is full of smoke and the exit is not clear everyone should go back into one upstairsroom (preferably one with a window that opens onto a flat roof or porch). Block the gapsaround the door with blankets or clothes to prevent smoke entering. If there is a phone in theroom dial 999 immediately. Wait for the Fire Brigade to arrive.

If there is no phone, open the windows and shout ‘Fire!’ as loudly as possible. Alert passers byand ask them to dial 999.

If help does not arrive quickly enough, throw pillows or blankets out of the window and loweryourself to arm’s length before gently dropping to safety. Do not try this if the room is morethan one floor up.


Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 2Letting Off Steam

999 Fire Cards

1.Ryna is playing on the computer in her room. Suddenly she hears the smoke alarm go off in the downstairs hall. She peers over the banister and sees her mum runningout of the kitchen shouting that the grill has caught fire. What should they do?

2.Pippa’s dad is using a blowtorch to take paint off the window frame in the dining roomwhere he’s decorating. He puts the torch down without turning it off and two rags covered in white spirit burst into flames. The rags drop to the floor and set fire to thecarpet underlay. Help, what should he do?

3.Ellen is planning a relaxing bath. Her mum is downstairs – and so she decides that shewill light the scented candles around the bathtub, just as her mum does. She reachesfor the matches in the bathroom cupboard and lights three candles on the windowsill.Ellen then goes to her room to get her pyjamas. When she returns to the bathroom the window blind has caught fire and the flames are leaping close to the ceiling. Help, what should she do?

4.Meagan loves to use her hair straighteners. She plugged them in and left them on herbedspread but then forgot about them and went downstairs to watch the television. A short while later she heard the upstairs smoke alarm going off. She looked out of thelounge door to see smoke coming down from the landing. Help, what should she do?

5.Ling’s mum and dad love to light a real fire in the winter. They lit the fire in the loungeand then went to have tea in the kitchen. Ling suddenly smelt smoke and so her dadwent to check on the fire. He came running back to say a piece of coal had droppedout of the fire and onto the rug – setting the carpet on fire. Help, what should they do?


Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 2Keep Safe From Fire Pop-Up Side 1


Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 2Keep Safe From Fire Pop-Up Side 2

Keep window and door keys handy. Can you explain why?

Keep your stairways andhalls clutterfree. Leavingthings on thestairs can causefalls and blockyour way out inan emergency.

Ask the adults in your family to fit smoke alarms in the hallways of your home. Test themregularly to check they are working. Which two roomsshould you not fit a smoke alarm in?

K

B

a

b

c

Smoke alarms

Close all doors andwindows at night

Family Fire Escape Plan

Closed doors help to slow down the spread of a fire, giving you extra time to escape.

Keep window and door keys near to the things they lock. You mightneed to open them quickly to escape from fire.

Everyone in your family should knowwhat to do in case of fire.

If you think you can escape...

Shout to wake everyone in the house andthen all make your way out. Do not stopto collect anything, make any calls oropen doors to see the fire.

• Get out • Stay out • Call the Fire Brigade out

If fire and smoke block your way...

Gather everyone in one room. Block the gapsaround the doors where smoke might get in,with clothes or towels.

If there is a telephone in the room dial 999.If not, open the window and shout for help.Wait for the Fire Brigade to arrive.

1

2If you can’t wait because

the fire is spreading too quickly...

Do not jump from the window. Lower yourself to arm’s length then drop ontothe garden or a flat roof. Call the Fire Brigade.

Can you draw any other

items that might clutter the stairs?3

Copyright © 2011 Girlguiding UK/CSEC/Caroline Booth Ltd (T/A The Resource Bank)(2.10)

Where would you fit smoke alarms in this house? (Draw them onto the picture) Think: Are there anyrooms where you would not fit a smoke alarm?

Fit a Smoke Ala

Plan a route

If you think youcan escape...

If fire and smoke blockyour way out....

If you are woken by yoursmoke alarm or the soundof what could be a fire...

STOP • THINK • ACT

Block up any gapsaround the doors

to the room.Use towels,

blankets orclothes.

Try to gather everyone into one room.

Plan

1.

Plan

2.

• Do you have a sm

oke alarm?

Yes No

• Does it work?

Yes No

• Do you have an e

scape plan?

Yes No

• Are all the matches a

nd lighters

in your home stored

safely? Yes N

o

(out of the reac

h of children)

Check your ho

me

The


A fire can start, grow and completely burn out a roomin less than five minutes. Smoke alarms save lives by‘sniffing out’ the first wisps of smoke and thensounding an early warning. A few extra seconds’warning can mean the difference between getting outsafely - or not.

To make the most of a smoke alarm’s warning, everyfamily should work out their own escape plan.Take a look at the escape plans below. Try to thinkwhich doors and windows you might use in yourhome.

If you cannot waitbecause the fire isspreading tooquickly...

Plan 3.

Use the nearest way toget out of the house.

Don’t stop to collectthings or open anydoors to see the fire.

If there is a telephone in theroom – use it to call the FireBrigade, otherwise go to thewindow and shout FIRE!

When you are safely out of thehouse use a call box or aneighbour’s phone or mobile to dial999.

NEVERGO BACKIN THEHOUSE!

CALL OUT THE FIREBRIGADE!

WAIT FOR THEFIRE BRIGADETO ARRIVE

• Get smoke alarms.• Fix them to the ceilingsomewhere they can be heardthroughout the house.• Check the alarms work –test them each week.Change the battery oncea year (unless it is a 10-yearbattery).

arm

Wake everyone up byshouting FIRE

and make your way out.

Great Escape

FIRE! FIRE!

Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 2NB: Check with your local Fire Brigade –before using this resource. See note on p.2.2.Some Brigades do not teach Escape Plan 3.


Do not jump. Lower yourself to arm’s length –then drop onto the gardenor a flat roof.Pass small children down,don’t leave them until last.

(NB: Do not do this if youare more than one floor up.)

Cooker rings,flames,cigarettes andhot ironsare just a few ofthe things whichcan cause

Dry Burns.

Electrical Burns can be caused by electrical currents and appliances orlightning strikes.

Bleach, paintstripper and cleaning fluids can cause

Chemical Burns.

Steam, hot liquids and hot oils may cause

Scalds.

Dry Burns and Scalds

2. Cool the skin byholding it under coldrunning water for at least10 minutes.

3. Cover the cooled burn with aclean, non-fluffy dressing or aplastic bag/cling film. Seek medicaladvice or dial 999 in severe cases.You may also want to raise the limbto reduce swelling.Electrical Burns

If someone has had an electric shock donot touch them. You must make surethat the electricity is switched off first or theelectricity could pass from them to you.

If you cannot turn the electricity off go forhelp immediately. Dial 999 if possible.

1. If there is anychemical left on theskin, it will carry onburning. Use plentyof cool runningwater to wash it off.

Remember to protectyour own hands.

Chemical Burns2. Take off orcut away anyclothing whichmay havehad the chemical spiltonto it.

3. Cover the burn looselywith clean, non-fluffy material. You could wetthe material to cool andsoothe the burn. Get medical help.

Many of the things in your home which cause fires may also give you a nasty burn orscald. Always take care when you are near hot surfaces or liquids and learn what todo — how to help — if an accident does happen.

DO NOT PUT OINTMENTOR FAT ON THE BURN

Dealing with Burns


1. Burned skin willkeep on burning evenwhen the heat hasbeen taken away.


1.20mins

In your kit bag...


Home Fire HazardsSetting the Scene (background for Leaders)

No focus on fire safety would be complete without a long hard look at home fire hazards.Why? Because, on average, fires in people’s homes (dwelling fires) cause around two thirds of the total deathsfrom fire in the UK each year. The good news, though, is that the number of fires and of people killed in fires has decreased over the last ten years.

Although there are many reasons for the decrease in fires, one key factor in the battle against fire is Fire Safety Education. By promoting fire safety knowledge and skills amongst Brownies, we can help to make sure that thenumber of fires in the UK is reduced even further.

Helpful or Hazardous – Get it sorted!

Can the Brownies sort the helpful items from the hazardous ones?

Before the session begins, lay down a blanket or draw achalk circle on the floor in the centre of the room.

Onto the blanket / into the circle place a range of items including:

� a candle � a box of matches

� a three-way plug* � a covered lamp*

� an appliance with a frayed wire*

� a cracked or damaged plug*

� a smoke alarm with a battery

� a smoke alarm without a battery

� a packet of cigarettes � a lighter � a gang socket*

� a picture of open internal doors in a house*

� a picture of a fire guard*

� a fire escape plan drawing*

� a picture of a small girl in front of an open fire, dressedin a long nightdress*.

Blanket, chalk, paper strips,

sticky tape, coloured pens

NB: pictures of the items marked* are available in Help and Resources (p.3.4) – Leaders may just want to print them off.



1.cont...

When the Brownies arrive, seat them around the blanket and ask for two volunteers.

� One will wear a paper headband with a smiley face or a tick on it.

� One will wear a paper headband with a sad face or a cross on it.

Explain to the Brownies that:

The person wearing the smiley hat is going tohave a box for all of the things on the blanketthat might:

a. help us if a fire started in our home - or

b. help to prevent a fire starting in the first place.

The person wearing the sad hat is going tohave a box for all of the things on the blanketthat might:

a. cause a fire to start or help it to spread

b. be of no use to us if a fire did start.

When the happy and sad hat people are in place, theBrownies should be asked, one by one, to choose an itemfrom the blanket, show it to the group and then explain whothey think the item should go to.

When all items have been discussed and sorted, Leadersmight want to take a photo of the final selections.

NB:

a. Both smoke alarms should be closed when on the blanket so that Brownies cannot see which smoke alarm would actually work. The Leader should stop the Brownie just as they place the smoke alarm with their choice of person – and ask them to test the alarm. They can then discuss the need for working batteries and regular testing.

b. Some items on the blanket could be said to be helpful if used correctly or dangerous if not, eg matches and lighters. It is helpful to have a third box or area into which these items can be sorted.




2.30/40

mins

3.

This activity is based on the traditional card game of Happy Families. However, instead of the usualfamilies, we have some new characters.

Leaders can download and cut out all of the Unhappy Families cards from Help and Resources(p.3.6 / 3.7), spread them out on the table face downand then ask each Sixer to choose one. When each Six has a card they can then either:

a. Draw a comic strip showing the dangers that their character could be headed for and how to avoid them (use a large roll of wallpaper lining paper and some bright felt tips, so that everyone can help to draw this).

b. Work together to develop a short play along the lines of a ‘cautionary tale’. The play could show how the situation started, what happened to theircharacter and how it could be avoided.

Brownies could share their work and ideas at theend of the session.


Or...

Unhappy Families!

Making Plans for a Sausage Sizzle!

(Brownie Fire Safety Session 4)

So far, the Brownies have learned:

� how harmful fire can be� how to prevent unwanted fires� what to do in the event of fire.

However, in our quest for safety, we should not forget that fire can be a very useful thing and can, in some circumstances, even be life-saving.

In the next session Leaders could carry out an activity to help the Brownies learn about the benefits offire and how to stay safe while using it. The example of a sausage sizzle is given here, but you coulduse any type of outdoor cooking or other activity involving fire.



3.cont...

4.30/40

mins

1. � = 1 � = 02. � = 1 � = 03. � = 1 � = 04. � = 0 � = 15. � = 1 � = 06. � = 0 � = 17. � = 0 � = 18. � = 0 � = 1

9. � = 1 � = 010. � = 1 � = 011. � = 1 � = 012. � = 0 � = 113. � = 1 � = 014. � = 0 � = 115. � = 0 � = 1

Ask the Brownies about the ways that we can use fire.

Discuss their answers.

Tell them that they will be going on a sausage sizzle next week. Ask them if they know what a sausagesizzle is and ask them what sort of things will be needed.

A sample list of items is given below. While discussing these, try to talk about any safety issues involved (eg the stick needs to be of a sufficient length so that you can cook your sausage without yougetting too close to the fire, no loose clothing around the fire).

� Long stick or cane with a metal fork attached (with metal wire - not sticky tape as this will melt)

� Put a cork or potato on the end of the fork (to stop it jabbing into anyone on the way to your site)

� Sausages (some Leaders like these to be partially cooked beforehand)

� Rolls � Ketchup � Marshmallows

� Chocolate biscuits (particularly good if you squash a melted marshmallow between two of these!)

� Waterproofs � Sitter � Drink

NB: In practice the Leaders would generally supply the food – with the Brownies bringing a waterproof,a sitter and a drink.

Ask the Brownies to think about any important safety issues that might need to be considered. Thismight be on the way to the site of the sausage sizzle, whilst collecting wood for the fire, or while being close to the fire.

Making Plans for a Sausage Sizzle! (cont.)

Discuss these safety issues and devise a few basic golden rules. These might include:-

� Be polite and considerate around the fire, make sure everyone has a safe space.� Do not run near the fire.� Stay in groups of three or more when collecting wood.� Make sure you can see the rest of the group at all times.

For those Brownies who would like to take something home to work on with the adults in theirhome, there are hazard spotting pictures and a home hazard checklist to download from Help and Resources (p.3.8 / 3.9).

Watch Out! – Help and Resources p.3.8Home Safe Home? – Help and Resources p.3.9Answers for Home Safe Home? (p.3.9) are shown below.

Fire Safety Take Away!


2. A covered lamp

3. An appliance with a frayed wire

1. A three-way plug

5. A gang socket

Copyright © 2013 Girlguiding/CSEC/Caroline Booth Ltd (T/A The Resource Bank)

(3.5)

4. A cracked or damaged plug

6. Internal doors in a house (left open at night)

Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 1Helpful or Hazardous? Get it sorted!

8. Fire escape plan drawing

9. Girl in front of fire in night dress

7. Fire guard

Copyright © 2013 Girlguiding/CSEC/Caroline Booth Ltd (T/A The Resource Bank)

Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 1Unhappy Families


Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 1Watch out!

Frayed wires and dangerous heaters are just two of the things which could start a fire orcause an accident in your home. Take a look at the risky kitchen on this page.Use your fire detective training to spot all of the hazards. Circle each one. Use the linesbelow to write about them.

Watch Out!

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Useful words: wire candle plug socket overload scald spill iron kettle heater matches burn cigarette dangerous chemicals


Help and ResourcesFire Safety Badge: Session 3Home Safe Home?

1. Does your home have asmoke alarm fittedsomewhere along yourescape route?

2. Do you have a ‘fire escapeplan’? Would every personthat you live with know whatto do in case of fire?

3. Are all internal (inside) doorsclosed last thing at night? Thiswould help to stop a firespreading quickly – giving youextra time to escape.

4. Are matches ever left lyingaround your home?

5. Are ashtrays cleared awayevery night? (Answer even if no one smokes.)

6. Are flexes and wires lefttrailing across the floor?

7. Do you use three-way plug adaptors?

8. Are any power socketscracked or loose?

9. If your windows have locks onthem, are the keys kept close by?Could you open the windowsquickly in an emergency?

Home Safe Home?

How safe is your home? Work with your parents or carers to answer the questions below. See p.3.4 for scores.

15 points = Excellent!

10-15 points = Good, but you need to payattention to certain areas.

Less than 10 points = There could be anaccident waiting to happen in your home.Ask the adults who care for you to takeaction.

10. Do you keep your stairs clearand clutter free? Clutter onthe stairs can stop youescaping quickly in anemergency.

11. Are the rings on the cookerturned off straight after use?

12. Are pan handles left stickingout over the edges of thecooker?

13. Do you test your smokealarm battery once a weekand change it once a year?

14. Do you ever take your smokealarm battery out to stop itfrom making a noise?

15. If a fire broke out in yourhome, would you use yourhome phone to dial 999?

My home safety score 15

Yes � or No � ?


Activity

In your kit bag...


Sausage Sizzle

Tips for a Successful Sizzle!

Many of you will be very familiar with this Brownie favourite, but if you are a little unsure about preparing andrunning a sausage sizzle, here are a few tips to help:

1. Identify a suitable site for your sausage sizzle.Ideally this would be a clearing near a wooded area, where you cancollect wood for the fire. The clearing should be of sufficient size to safely contain everyone and the fire, and should not have overhangingbranches that could catch fire themselves.

2. You should also make sure you are allowed to use this area for lightingfires. If in doubt, ask parents or other Leaders in your area.

3. Visit the site beforehand to carry out a safety check, identifying anypotential hazards on the way there and back. Note down any safetyprecautions that will need to be taken and any key safety issues that willneed to be pointed out to the Brownies.

4. Make sure you have enough adult helpers to maintain your adult to child ratios.

5. Make alternative plans in case of wet weather.

(whatever your choice for starting your fire)Matches and firelighter / FireSteel Firestarter and tinder

Some dry wood (if you are worried you might not find enough around your site)

Plenty of water (in case of burns and to put your fire out properly at the end of the session)

Charged mobile phone • Emergency contacts for the Brownies and health information

First aid kit including cling film for covering burns • Food if providing

Copyright © 2011 Girlguiding UK/CSEC/Caroline Booth Ltd (T/A The Resource Bank)(4.1)



Tips for a successful Sizzle (Cont)On the day:

a. Remind Brownies about the safety rules they suggested about getting to the site and why these were important.

b. Travel safely to the sausage sizzle site.

c. On arrival at the site, familiarise the Brownies with the area:

� where the fire will be� where they should put their belongings and equipment (well back from the fire)� set visual boundaries (ie the points beyond which they must not go)� decide on a signal which will bring everyone back to the fire area.

d. Send Brownies off in groups to collect wood for the fire. You will need dry dead wood in a range of different sizes.

e. One adult should stay within the clearing, laying and lighting the fire. Another adult should supervise the collection and piling of wood.

f. Once you have enough wood, gather the Brownies around the fire at a suitable distance and remind them of the fire safety rules they set and the reasons for them.

g. Cook your sausages and marshmallows, sing some songs and have fun. Remember to cook the sausages slightly above the flames (not in them) and to watch out for spitting or splitting sausages! (Pricking sausages before cooking can help to prevent them splitting.)

h. Keep an eye on the time and don’t let the fire grow too large (ideally the fire should burn itself outby the end of the session).

i. As you are enjoying your food, have a chat about the things you have learned throughout the Fire Safety Badge sessions. You might even want to present the Brownies with their badges, when the fire is out and you are ready to go.

j. When you have finished, you must make sure the fire is properly extinguished as even the smallest of embers can reignite and cause a wildfire. To do this, spread the embers out and use the water you brought with you to make sure all the heat has been taken out.

k. Check that you have all your belongings and litter and return safely.

fire safety badge: session 1 - girlguiding · activity help and resources 1. 2. fire safety badge:...

Documents