Nearly every day a child under five years of age dies in a fire at home. It doesn't have to happen. A few precautions and a little education will help lower the risk. A working smoke alarm cuts the chance of death in half. Keep matches and lighters locked away in a secure cabinet. Develop and practice a fire escape plan. Make sure baby sitters and caregivers know the plan, and teach it to kids as young as two or three. Finally, bring children to a local fire department open house. Have them meet firefighters and see them in their gear. In that way they'll learn not to be afraid. One of the greatest tragedies is kids who hide when a fire truck pulls up to a burning house.