When we begin the process of baby proofing and kid proofing our homes, we try to do all the things.
But, what are we doing when it comes to fire safety at home?
As parents we do whatever we can to keep our kids safe. We baby proof before they can walk, we purchase smoke alarms, safety equipment, car seats… We do whatever it takes. This includes making sure that our homes are prepared for a fire emergency as well.
“This was a sponsored post about fire safety tips for families was written by me on behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All opinions are 100% mine.”
How to Practice Fire Safety at Home
Our homes are our refuge and where we raise our families and celebrate our lives. They should, in essence, be the safest place for us to be.
The very best fire safety is fire prevention. It’s important when cooking, or starting a fire in a fireplace, or using a space heater, to always be aware of the dangers and practice smart safety tips. Always read the directions of any equipment the first time you use it, and take precautions to avoid accidents – such as not allowing children to light candles or cook alone.
Install a fire alarm in every room of the house and test it periodically to be sure it is working.
For younger children, you can also try these Montessori Inspired Fire Safety Activities or try a Fire Safety Scavenger Hunt.
3 Important Fire Safety Tips for Families
Hundreds of people die every year because of fire-related incidents, especially during the Christmas season. Thus, it is very important for us to be prepared for such emergencies. Each member of our family should know what to do in case of fire. More importantly, all of us need to know what to do to prevent fire.
Plan Ahead
One of the most important things that parents forget to teach their children is to prepare for emergencies, such as fire. Even at a young age, children should already be taught how to prevent fire and what to do in case there is fire. Fire drills have often been conducted in buildings and schools to help prepare building occupants and students in case of fire, so why can’t you have a fire drill in your home?
The first step is to check your house for possible fire exits. See if the windows and doors in your house are big and tall enough to be used as possible fire exits. Make a floor plan for each room, ensuring that there are at least two ways to get out of the room to escape fire. In making the floor plan, you need to include crucial details, such as stairs, windows and hallways.
After devising a floor plan, you should meet your children and discuss your fire escape plan. You should also make sure that your family has devised a way of warning other members of fire, such as bells, door tapping, etc. It would be best if each bedroom of your house has a flash light and a bell. Lastly, select a safe place outside the house where everyone will go after escaping the fire.
Preparing your family for fire emergencies
It is wise to act out your evacuation plan with the whole family. Teach your children how to stay close to the ground while escaping and is possible, let them memorize the way. Sometimes, the smoke caused by fire would make it very difficult to see the way, so it would really be wise if you and children know the way by heart.
You and your children should also know that during fire, you should feel the door first before opening it. You should not open the door if it is hot. Instead, find another way you could escape your room or house.
If the clothes of your children or any family member catch fire, tell them to fall to the ground and roll. This will help extinguish the fire.
You can also incorporate some of the ideas from this Fire Safety Unit.
Make your house safe from fire
Make sure that emergency numbers are placed near telephones. Such numbers should always be accessible and visible so that you can call authorities immediately when a fire breaks out.
You should also ensure that smoke detectors are installed in key places in your house. Once smoke detectors are installed, you should check their batteries once in a while. Usually, the batteries of smoke detectors should be changed yearly.
Place fire extinguishers in key locations. If your house has several floors, ensure that there is at least one fire extinguisher per floor.
It would really be best if smoking is prohibited inside the house because many incidences of fire are caused by improperly discarded cigarettes. However, if smoking cannot be helped, make sure that nobody smokes in the bed. Furthermore, let everyone know how to properly discard cigarette butts.
No matter how many times you have taught your children that matches and lighters are dangerous, some will still play with them. Thus, it is advisable to keep all lighters and matches in places that your children cannot access. If possible, put them in locked drawers or cabinets.
How else can you help your family?
Safe Kids Day brings together families and the community to celebrate kids and increase awareness around accidental injuries and raise funds to prevent them. Safe Kids Day supports the life-saving programs of Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit organization working to protect children from accidental injuries, such as drowning, fires, burns, poisoning and traffic injuries.
Kori
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