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Seconds count during an emergency. Everyone needs to use 9-1-1 properly to get quick help during a fire, medical emergency or a crime.

This is especially true for children. They can, and must be taught how to correctly use the 9-1-1 system to save a life.

Follow these guidelines to teach children the proper way to use 9-1-1 to report emergencies:

Do...

• · Always call from a safe location. If the house is on fire, get out first and then call from a nearby telephone.
• · Teach children their full name and address. And always post your full address near your home phone.
• · Teach children to remain as calm as possible when speaking with the 9-1-1 operator so they can get the provide the correct information to send help.
• · Wait until the 9-1-1 operator tells you it is okay to hang up the telephone. It is common for 9-1-1 operators to keep young callers on the line until help arrives. 9-1-1 operators are also trained to provide life saving directions to callers during medical emergencies.
• · If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, don't hang up. Tell the 9-1-1 operator there is no emergency and you dialed by accident. If you hang up before speaking with the operator, they could send emergency crews to your location needlessly.

• · Do not call 9-1-1 as a joke or prank. You can get into serious trouble. More importantly, you can delay someone else getting the help they need in an emergency.
• · Do not hang up the telephone until the 9-1-1 operator tells you it is okay to do so.
• · Do not call 9-1-1 for animal emergencies. Call the ASPCA or your local police precinct's non-emergency number for assistance.
• · Do not call 9-1-1 for noisy neighbors, loud music, or barking dogs. Again, call your local police precinct.

Follow these tips to help save your life & property from fire:

For minimum protection, install a smoke detector outside of each bedroom or sleeping area in your home.

Keep your bedroom doors closed while you are asleep. Better, install detectors on every level of your home.

Keep your smoke detectors properly maintained. Test them once a week to ensure that the detectors are working properly.

Every Spring and Fall when you change your clocks, remember to change your smoke alarm batteries. Use only the type of batteries recommended on the detector.

Develop an escape plan and review the plan with all members of the family frequently. Be aware that children and elderly people may need special assistance should a fire occur. Establish a meeting place outside the house for all members of the family to ensure that everyone gets out safely. When fire occurs, get out of the house and use a neighbor's telephone to notify the Fire Department.

The proper use of portable fire extinguishers can extinguish many fires while they are still small. You should be aware, however, that the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department should be notified without delay as soon as any fire is discovered.

The NMB Fire Department regulates the number, type, and placement of the portable fire extinguishers that are required for any building. These portable fire extinguishers are an important part of an overall fire safety program. It is important to keep in mind that the successful use of portable fire extinguishers depends on the following:

• · the portable fire extinguishers are properly located and in working order.
• · the portable fire extinguishers are of the correct type.
• · the fire is discovered while still small enough for use of the portable fire extinguishers to be effective.
• · the fire is discovered by persons who are ready, willing, and able to use the portable fire extinguishers.

In some cases, OSHA may require that an employer provide education to its employees on how to use the portable fire extinguishers that are located in the workplace. Generally, operation instructions are provided on the side of the fire extinguisher. They clearly describe how to use the extinguisher in case of an emergency. An example of these instructions is shown below.

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