Children are more resilient and astute than we give them credit for. And on those rare occasions that we bear witness to it, we are often surprised by it.
Just like these New Jersey cops when a nine-year-old jumps from a burning condo and into their arms.
Sofya Doroshenko was trapped in on a third-story balcony as flames engulfed the building. Seeing no way for her to escape, the police shouted at her and asked her to jump.
“I didn’t know what to do and I just listened to them,” she told reporters. “I just jumped.”
Chief James Batelli, of the Mahwah Police Department, explained that Sofya was home alone when the fire began.
“I saw smoke coming out of the door and I heard someone saying that there is a fire,” Sofya said.
“One of the most important things she did that she probably didn’t even realise is that she shut the door to her condo,” Batelli told the news. Had she left the door open, it would have allowed the fire and smoke to spread quicker.
The police couldn’t believe how she maintained her calm demeanor through the frenzy. “How many 9-year-olds would be that calm under that kind of stress?” Batelli said.
In case of a fire
A fire needs three elements: heat, oxygen and fuel. Without heat, oxygen and fuel a fire will not start or spread. A key strategy to prevent fire is to remove one or more of these three elements. But in case of fire, you should remember these helpful tips.
- GET OUT, STAY OUT and call for help – do not run back to save your things. The national emergency hotline is 117 but it would be also good to know the number of the fire station nearest to your home.
- Crawl low under smoke. Most fire-related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation, not by the actual fire itself. Take time to practice this.
- Never open doors that are warm to the touch. Use the second exit, or if you are trapped, place a wet towel under the door. Wave a brightly-coloured cloth or use a flashlight to signal for help from an open window.
- Stop, drop and roll. If someone’s clothes catch fire, this is what to do to put the flames out.
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