Home Fire Safety
October is fire safety month. Our kids enjoy visiting local fire stations for fun and to learn fire safety tips. We always enjoy our visits. The local captain and crew always take time for us, give us tours, and give us important tips for fire safety at home.
The firefighters are always very encouraging to children, give them a full tour of the firehouse and trucks, and invite the children to come back anytime. They are very impressive and professional.
The tours naturally include instruction on fire safety. The firefighters typically ask, “What is the first thing to do in case of a fire or emergency.” They are surprised and pleased when all of the children immediately, and in unison, yell “Call 9-1-1!”
The firefighters also give the most important tips for fire saftey at home. The firefighters emphasize that it is important for families to discuss and plan their fire safety strategies. Interestingly their top two things for families to remember is to always have two routes to exit the house, and to have a place to meet once out of the house. The meeting place should be as simple as at the big oak tree, or the mail box.
Family fire safety tips include: • Having smoke alarms on every floor and outside all sleeping areas, • Practice home fire escape plans and routes, • Safely store and dispose of all smoking materials, • Take extra care with all hazardous materials including paint and gasoline, • Take great care with all flammable materials, • Practice safe operation of heaters and fire places, • And make sure home wiring is safe and updated.
Home fire safety is important to review with your family. Please take time to learn and practice these basic safety principles. Involve your children and you may be surprised how much they enjoy learning and helping. Lastly, stop by and get to know your local firefighters. They are very impressive and very welcoming, and help us all be more safety conscious.
