Be Smart – Plan your Home Fire Escape!

Have you ever thought about what you would do if a fire broke out in your home? If you answered “No” don’t stress, most parents don’t have any sort of plan at all!

Read on to find out exactly how to plan your fire escape to have complete peace of mind.

Draw up a plan based on your home’s layout. If possible try to identify two ways out of every room, and then go over the plan with your children. For younger kids rather demonstrate the plan rather than show them as they’ll understand it better that way. A home practice drill can be scary for a small child, so make sure to reassure them that it is important to know how to stay safe. Visit www.sparky.org and use their child-friendly Home Fire Escape Plan template!

Get low and go. Always teach your children this saying! Practice escaping from each room by crouching and crawling along the walls of the room to the exit. It is also a good idea to teach your children to check if the door is hot with the back of their hands before opening it. This is when they should head to the second exit.

Do your drill on a regular basis. If you do have a fire escape make sure it is clear and safe to use. Homes which have a second story or higher should have a ladder or a rope ladder stowed away somewhere to use to get out the window if a fire breaks out.

Being in a state of confusion when a fire breaks out in your home is the worst thing that could happen – make sure yourself and your family are prepared for the worst!

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