| If you experienced an emergency of any sort | | | | discus with them. There are certainly many more |
| from a fire to an earthquake would your family | | | | however these few should get you thinking in |
| survive? Would each member of your family | | | | terms of safety and emergency survival. |
| know and choose the appropriate course of | | | | Sit down and identify several different ways that |
| action in order to save their lives? Do all family | | | | a family member can escape from any room in |
| members know what your emergency action plan | | | | your home. In my case we have high windows |
| is and how to implement it? What if family's | | | | which will necessitate the child climbing up several |
| members become separated do they know what | | | | feet before they can get to the windows. As |
| to do? Do they know where to once again meet | | | | such appropriate plans must be made. Escape |
| up and join forces? | | | | ladders are of course necessary in this situation |
| These are extremely important concepts that | | | | and we are on a single floor. In the event that |
| each family must consider when planning any kind | | | | you have several floors then the ladders would |
| of emergency actions. This can be a very delicate | | | | certainly be a necessity. |
| and scary situation for adults so you can imagine | | | | After the escape plans have been created make |
| how children must be feeling about it. I feel that it | | | | sure that the family takes several times each |
| is vital that each parent set up an emergency plan | | | | year and actually does the escape routine. |
| and then sit down with the children and discus the | | | | Practice makes perfect. Don't leave anything to |
| plan and its implementation. By talking to your | | | | chance. |
| children about the plan you can get their feedback | | | | It goes without saying that one must locate a |
| on it and adjust the necessary plans or clarify | | | | safe meeting location away from the home |
| them according to what the feedback is from the | | | | where each family member can meet upon |
| children. It is important that you not make the | | | | escaping the immediate danger. Don't make it too |
| mistake of thinking of your children as merely | | | | far from the home and of course do not locate it |
| dependents of yours but rather as active keys | | | | too close to the home either. |
| towards the family's ultimate survival during times | | | | There are certain precautions that children should |
| of crisis. | | | | be taught concerning escaping your home during a |
| Talk it over with them and this way they will fully | | | | fire. In many cases these are taught in the public |
| know what is expected from them in an | | | | school system but never the less you should |
| emergency as well as what they are doing. You | | | | ensure that each child understand what the |
| want them to be as prepared as possible to | | | | precaution is and why. Teach them that if they |
| ensure their safety. Above all a child who | | | | have a smoke filled room they should crawl o |
| understands what they must do will remain calm | | | | safety. Make sure they check a door for heat |
| and make intelligent decisions based upon specific | | | | build up before opening it and above all you must |
| facts. | | | | stress that once they are out of the house they |
| Here are several key items that you may wish to | | | | must remain out - never return to the home. |