It may not be something that many of us want to think about, but it’s important that your family knows what to do if a fire breaks out in your home. Even the youngest members of your household should join in on the conversation, as it’s never too early to start teaching your kids about fire safety. In fact, research shows that children under 5 are twice as likely to die in a home fire than any other age group, so providing them with the right information could very well save lives.
Since it can be challenging to teach kids about such a serious topic, we’ve put together some tips on how to educate your family on fire safety. Check them out below.
The most important thing for your kids to understand is that they should not go near the fire. Under no circumstances should they try to extinguish the fire or grab anything that is anywhere near the flames. Remind them that their possessions can be replaced, but they cannot. Their number one priority should be getting away from the fire and calling for help
Here are some other simple yet essential things to teach your kids:
Fire drills aren’t just for school! It’s also important to plan and practice fire escape routes at home. After all, this is usually where your family spends most of its time together. By doing this on a regular basis, you can be confident that everyone will know what to do and where to go in an emergency situation.
The first thing to do is familiarize everyone with the sound of your home’s smoke alarms. They should all know exactly what to do when they hear that particular sound: start getting out of the building.
The next step should be finding the safest escape route. When designing your plan, it’s recommended that you identify at least two escape routes for every room. That way, if one happens to be blocked by fire, your family can quickly locate another way out. If one of your routes happens to be through a window, make sure it can be opened easily. You may even consider investing in escape ladders to throw out the window if it’s on the second story or higher.
Finally, come up with a designated outside meeting place. This is where everyone will immediately go after they’ve escaped the building.
It’s important to practice your fire escape plan regularly, as it will help everyone remember what to do if a fire breaks out in your home. By familiarizing your family with the basics of fire safety and your home escape plan, you can help protect them from a potentially dangerous, life-threatening situation.
Looking for more ways to help keep your family safe from fire? Learn about Fire-Alert’s residential services here.