| Statistically, you'll probably never experience the | | | | As a family, develop an escape plan, in case of |
| tragedy of a catastrophic fire in your home. But, | | | | fire. In multi-level homes, several different escape |
| statistically, if you do, your family's chances of | | | | plans could be necessary, to cover all the |
| survival are greatly increased, if, as a family, | | | | possibilities-a downstairs fire, an upstairs fire, etc. |
| you've planned for the possibility. | | | | If your escape plan includes opening windows, |
| Planning begins with prevention. Just as you teach | | | | inspect your windows often-especially children's |
| your children about the dangers of drugs and | | | | windows-to make sure they open easily and |
| alcohol (or, with younger children, the dangers of | | | | quickly. Make sure your children know how to |
| eating or drinking something they shouldn't), | | | | unlock and open your doors, quickly. Teach them |
| parents should also teach children-even young | | | | how to dial 9-1-1, and what to say to the |
| ones-about the dangers of matches, lighters, and | | | | dispatcher-your name, address, and the nature of |
| electrical cords. Just as you child-proof your home | | | | the emergency. |
| against injury, you should also be vigilant about fire | | | | Practice your escape plans at least once a month, |
| hazards. | | | | and more often, if necessary, to ensure smooth |
| According to over 100,000 fires each year are | | | | execution. Make it a pre-bedtime game for the |
| started by children, over thirty percent of the | | | | whole family. The more often your kids have a |
| fires that kill children are started by children, and | | | | run through of the plan, the less likely they'll be to |
| two-thirds of these are set by children playing | | | | panic in a real emergency, and the more likely |
| with matches and lighters in their bedrooms. | | | | everyone in your family will be to survive, |
| So, not only is it necessary to discourage children | | | | unharmed. |
| from playing with combustible materials, it's | | | | If you remodel your home, re-form your escape |
| necessary to explain to them why. It's equally | | | | plan. Doors may be in different places, and new |
| important to teach children neither to play around | | | | windows may open differently, and each second |
| nor to touch stoves, furnaces, lamp fixtures, or | | | | in your escape is precious. |
| any appliance with heating capability. | | | | Plan a specific meeting place, outside, where each |
| Smoke alarms are probably the most important | | | | family member can reach quickly. Many fire |
| tool in any fire prevention arsenal. There should be | | | | deaths occur, when people who've escaped rush |
| at least one on each floor of the home, especially | | | | back in to burning houses, to check for family |
| near bedrooms. But, if you're ever awakened by | | | | members who haven't been accounted for. |
| a smoke detector don't assume the same of | | | | Statistically, you'll probably never need to |
| your children-younger kids often sleep right | | | | implement your escape plan. But, if you have one |
| through the alarm-you'll need to plan on waking | | | | ready, you'll sleep easier at night, knowing your |
| them, yourself. Test your smoke detectors at | | | | family is as prepared as they can be. |
| least once a month-it only takes a second. | | | | |