Fires

Even a small fire can be fierce and deadly. Help keep your family safe and sound in the event of a fire, with these time-tested fire safety tips.

Two Ways Out
Find two ways out of every room. If the door is blocked by fire or smoke, you may have to use the window as a second exit from a room. Talk about this with your children. Escape from a second floor may necessitate the use of a fire safety ladder. Under your supervision, help your child practice using the safety ladder from the first floor.

Be a Detector Inspector
Make sure you have a smoke detector installed on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Let your child help test the smoke detectors once a month to make sure that they are still working. Pick a specific date to change your smoke detector battery – for example, your child’s birthday or in the fall or spring when the time changes. Let your child hear the alarm on the smoke detector so she will recognize the sound and know that it means to get out of the house right away.

If it’s Hot, Better Not
Before opening a bedroom door, touch the door with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, don’t open the door. Move quickly to your second exit and carefully leave the room.

Be in the Know, Get Down Low
Smoke is one of the greatest dangers in a burning building. Since smoke rises, the air near the floor is safer to breathe. Explain that when there is smoke in the air, it’s important to keep low and crawl toward the exit of the building. To practice this important rule, have some family members hold a bed sheet a few feet above the floor to represent smoke while someone crawls under it.

Never Hide, Go Outside
Teach your child this important rule. Help him understand that if there is a fire or if the smoke alarm goes off, he must get out of the house as quickly as possible. Remind your child that it’s dangerous to hide in a closet or under the bed because you or the firefighter might not be able to find him when the room is filled with smoke. Have your child repeat the rule back to you.

Always Race to the Meeting Place
Before there is a fire in your home, choose a place for everyone to meet to make sure all of the family members have gotten out safely. You might decide to meet at a certain tree in the yard, on the sidewalk under a streetlight, or next to the swing set. Once everyone knows the meeting place, practice gathering there to make sure everyone understands where to meet. Remind your child to stay outside if there is a fire in your home.

Once Out, Stay Out
Never go back into a burning building once you’ve left it. Remind your children to always remain outside at the designated meeting place. Don’t go back for anything!

Keep the Light, Locked Up Tight
Keep matches and lighters (cigarette lighters and barbeque grill lighters) in a locked cabinet or drawer. Active, curious children can easily climb to what is thought to be "an out of reach" place.

The Magic Number, 911
Teach your child about 911 or keep the fire department’s emergency phone number near the phone.

Practice Makes Perfect
Practice your evacuation plan with your family at least twice a year—at least once at night. Make an event of it.