Do your children know what to do if your home catches fire?
- Will they rush into a smoke-filled hallway or down a burning staircase?
- Will they panic and hide in a closet or under a bed and wait for rescue?
- Will they run into the house to save a pet or special toy?
Scores of children are fire-drill trained by school teachers and successfully escape burning school buildings every year. Smaller children at home need the same kind of instruction. The entire family can benefit from practice sessions (fire drills) teaching children how to get out of the house safely in case of fire.
BASIC FIRE FACTS THAT CHILDREN SHOULD KNOW:
- One lit match can burn a house down and hurt or kill people.
- Fire can overtake a house in just a few minutes.
- If a door (or doorknob) is hot when you touch it, DO NOT open it. Go out a window instead.
- Smoke (and fumes) can kill you, so get away from smoke FAST. If you see smoke, get on the floor and crawl to a window quickly.
- If your clothes catch on fire, roll over and over and over on the floor, or roll up in a rug to put out the flames.
- When a house is on fire, PEOPLE are important. DO NOT try to save things.
SIMPLE ESCAPE PLAN:
- Plan TWO DIFFERENT ways to get out of a house.
- EVERY bedroom should have a way to get out of a window.
o Commercial fire escape ladder
o Strong knotted rope
FIRE DRILLS:
- Map out escape routes
- Get the needed ladders, ropes or other equipment.
- Practice getting out by the main route AND the alternate route.
- Stash survival equipment (blankets, flashlights, sweaters, sleeping bags) outside the main home (especially if you live in a rural area).
- Start your fire drill with a referee whistle (have one hanging in a visible predetermined location in every bedroom) or set off a smoke alarm.
- Pick a meeting place for after the “escape” so that everyone can be accounted for quickly and no one has to go back into the house for someone who is already safely outside.
- Call the fire department AFTER you know that everyone is out of the house safely.
- Making the fire drill a game can be fun for small children, while stressing that fire is very serious. Helping them learn that fires can happen, but people can get away from them, will decrease the chances that they will be confused, panic-stricken or paralyzed with fear if a real fire occurs.
Many residential fires happen in winter and at night. Improperly installed, carelessly used or irregularly maintained solid-fuel (wood or coal) heating systems can cause home fires.
Our carefully trained technicians at Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps|Bless Your Hearth can help to determine any issues that may contribute to a potential house fire. Schedule an inspection or service for your chimney and fireplace system today. Call (864-682-5422) or email (bluesky@sweepstuff.com) and speak with one of our friendly customer service folks.