Stop, Drop, and Roll!

When we were young, we were told to "stop, drop, and roll" if there was a fire. In 2011, there is much more we can do to prepare ourselves, our homes, and families if there is a fire (and I don't mean shorty's burning on the dance floor kind of fire). Since October is Fire Prevention Month, please take a few minutes to read over this blog, and teach your child(ren) about fire safety.

The National Fire Protection Association stated, "It is truly ironic that where people feel safest, in their homes, is where the majority of fire deaths occur. Consider this; US fire departments responded to an estimated 362,500 home structure fires in 2009. These fires caused:

-2,565 civilian fire deaths
-12,600 civilian fire injuries
-$7.6 billion in direct damage

Roughly 85% of all civilian fire deaths in 2009 resulted from home structure fires. Nationwide, once every three hours someone is fatally injured in a home fire."

There are several activities you can do with your family to make sure your home and all of your family members are prepared in case a fire does occur.

1) With your child(ren) go through this checklist and make sure your house is safe! This is a great activity for children, it's educational, and you are protecting everyone from a potential fire.

2) Read to your children and let them ask you questions about fire safety. Check out this list of recommended books from apples4theteacher. This will comfort your child to know their favorite story-book characters have survived a fire.

3) Have a fire escape plan and practice it!
                -Try to have 2 escape plans for each room

4)Teach children about smoke detectors. Why we use them and the sound they will make if there is a fire. Adults should change batteries regularly!

5)Take this survey with your kids, to teach them all about fire safety.

6)Instruct your kids not to panic if their clothes catch on fire and to stop, drop and roll.

7)Does all this work make you hungry? Stay in theme and make this yummy fire truck treat with your child(ren).
8)Own and practice using escape ladders. Store them near second floor windows.

9) Have a fire drill. Blind fold your child(ren) to ensure they can escape in the dark (obviously this is practice so be careful). Practice leaving from different rooms in the house. Have a designated meeting place for everyone to go once they are outside the home.

10) It is important that no one touches a door if there is a fire. If you need to touch the door or anything else, grab a towel to avoid burns. Also use the towels for covering your mouth when exiting the home.

11) Make sure your child(ren) know that once they are out of the house, they must go to the designated place and never go back inside the home. Kids might realize that a family member, pet, or a personal belonging is still inside. Let them know, the fire fighter will take care of everything and that it is very dangerous to go back in.

12) In case your child is separated from you, or is ever lost have them keep one of these information cards on them at all times.
There is so much more that we can do than stop, drop, and roll to protect oursevles from fire.  What else do you do with your family to observe Fire Prevention Month? We would love to hear!