If a fire started in your home tonight, would your family know exactly what to do? October is National Fire Prevention Month so it’s the perfect time to ensure the answer to that question is “yes.”
Keeping your family safe from fire starts with a plan that includes everyone, especially your children. In the event of an emergency, young children can become easily frightened and may instinctively hide in closets or under beds. By introducing a fire safety plan, you can give your kids the confidence and knowledge they need to act quickly and stay safe.
Here are the essential steps every parent should take:
Smoke Alarms
Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, inside every bedroom and outside all sleeping areas and test them monthly. They should be replaced every 10 years.
Battery Replacement
Change the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year or immediately if they begin to chirp.
Hazards Out of Reach
Store all matches, lighters and candles on high shelves or inside locked cabinets away from curious hands.
Create and Practice an Escape Plan
Draw a map of your home showing two escape routes out of every single room in case one exit is blocked by smoke or flames.
Meeting Spot
Pick a safe, fixed landmark outside the home—like a specific tree, mailbox, or light pole—where everyone will meet in case of emergency.
Regular Drills
Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year. Run it once during the day and once at night so children are prepared for any scenario.
Stay Low
Teach your children to crawl on their hands and knees under any smoke to keep their lungs safe from toxic fumes.
The Golden Rule
Emphasize to your kids that once they get outside, they must never, under any circumstances, go back inside a burning building for toys, pets or clothes.
Teach Emergency Skills: Stop, Drop and Roll
Practice this classic rule with your kids so they know exactly how to smother flames if their clothes catch fire.
Feeling Doorhandle
Teach children to use the back of their hand to touch doors and doorknobs before opening them. If it feels hot, the escape route is unsafe and they must use their backup exit.
Firefighter Familiarity
Show your children pictures of firefighters in full gear—including their masks and oxygen tanks—so they know the emergency responders are helpful heroes and not monsters to hide from.
Calling 911
Make sure your children know how to dial emergency services from a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone once they are safely outside.
When a home fire strikes, seconds are everything and preparedness is what buys your family the time they need to get out safely. Take a few minutes to plan and practice today to help ensure a calm, coordinated response tomorrow.
We can’t always predict an emergency, but we can ensure our kids know exactly what to do. After all, the best time to plan for a fire is long before you ever smell smoke.