Lifesaving Tips to Review with your Family
October is Fire Prevention Month, and there is no better time to create a fire safety plan with your family. Sadly, at least one child dies every day, and many more are injured, as a result of a fire. It is never too early to start teaching our children – and reminding ourselves – about fire safety. We have created a checklist for you to use with your family to create a working Fire Safety Plan.
SMOKE DETECTORS:
- Make sure to install at least one smoke detector on each floor of your home. Other good places for detectors – outside bedrooms and in each bedroom
- Check smoke detectors monthly. Make sure they are working
- Change batteries in smoke detectors twice a year. A good reminder - Do it when you change the clock
- Change detectors every 10 years. If you’re not sure how old your detector is, change it now, then write the date of the new one on the back
- Don’t forget to also install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
FIRE ESCAPE PLAN
- Create TWO escape routes from your house. Make it a family project so the kids know safe exits
- Designate a meeting area outside and away from the house – chose a nearby neighbor’s house or a tree down the street
- Review what to do if the fire alarm goes off – including feeling a closed door to see if it’s warm (indicates a fire is nearby) and getting down low if there is smoke
- Practice these escape routes with a mock fire drill. Get a stopwatch and time the family’s exit. Work on getting out quickly, but safely. As everyone gets better at it, lay out fake obstacles and barriers
- Remind children NEVER to go back inside a burning house to get a cherished toy or stuffed animal
- Wait to call 911 until AFTER you are all out of the house
- Don’t go back in until after the all clear
HOME SAFETY
- Do not leave any food cooking on the stovetop unattended
- Keep anything that can catch fire like oven mitts, paper towel, or recipes away from the stove
- Turn handles away from the outside when cooking – little kids can grab them in a split second – and consider only using the back burners
- Blow out any candles when you leave the room
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn
- Never use your oven to heat the house
- Turn off portable heaters when going to bed or leaving the room
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy, child-proof screen
- Keep matches and lighters stored in a high shelf where children can’t reach
- Never smoke in bed
Written by Jenny Tananbaum, Suburban Mom.
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