Teaching Kids Fire Safety at Home

1/23/2022 (Permalink)

If a fire issue pops up, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry, SERVPRO of Putnam County.

In the case of a fire at home, there are a lot of things you may be thinking about in the moment. Emotions are heightened, blood pressure rises and thoughts can scatter.

One thing you definitely don’t want to have to worry about is whether your children know what to do. If a fire occurs, you want to know they’re ready to react, just as you are.

So what do your kids need to know, and how can you keep them ready for fire emergencies at home? Let’s look at a few of the most important things.

Maintain smoke alarms. Yes, this part is technically something you do, but part of keeping your kids safe involves making sure smoke alarms are installed and working properly. After you’re sure of that, educate your kids about what smoke alarms do, let them hear their alerts in a non-emergency situation, and make sure they associate the sound with the need to spring into action and not to freeze in fear.

Know the plan, practice the plan. Ensure that your kids know exits, both main and alternative—this may include window and ladder drills, and you might even consider exercises that teach them to leave the house by feel rather than sight, knowing that smoke may cause low visibility indoors. Teach them specific plans and meeting places, and practice the drill at least twice a year, if not monthly.

Get out, stay out. Teach the young ones that once they’re outside, no toy or belonging is important enough for them to re-enter the house. Make sure they understand the danger of smoke inhalation and risk of explosions and let that impress on them the importance of staying out and letting firefighters handle the rest.

Other practices. Teach kids how to open their windows, check doorknobs for heat and find alternative routes if doorknobs are hot. Show them how to use towels to cover their faces or mouths for ventilation and protection, and to use them for handling any items to avoid burns.

Nobody wants to think about these kinds of scenarios, but thinking about them in advance will truly help you to better equip and prepare your family to be ready to escape in the event of a fire.

Should the unfortunate occur and you find yourself in need of fire restoration, SERVPRO is here to help you recover and restore the damage done to your home. Click or call anytime; we’re available ²⁴⁄₇ for emergency help.