Filed under Columbus Living on November 5th, 2008:
What to do when the Fire Alarm Rings
Before the Fire Alarm Rings
Do you think you are prepared for a fire? The best way to find out is to start with your Columbus home. Make sure you have fresh batteries in your smoke detectors. Batteries should be changed once a year and tested monthly.
Next, create a fire escape plan. Draw a map of the rooms in your home, including doors and windows in each room. Take two different colored pens and draw two escape routes from each room. Teach children how to open doors and windows. Keep escape areas,like doors and windows, free of clutter.
Teach children not to hide from firefighters if there’s a fire in your home. Show them pictures of firefighters wearing fire gear and masks and explain that firemen come to help them. Schedule a visit to your local firehouse so children can meet a fire man.
Pick a family meeting place outside your home. Make it far enough away to be safe if the building was on fire.
Hold a home fire drill. It’s good to do this both during the day and at night. Mix it up by blocking certain exits to get family members thinking about other escape routes.
When the Fire Alarm Rings
Test a doorknob with the back of your hand. If it’s warm, try another escape route. If it’s cool, open it slowly. If smoke pours in, slam the door shut.
Stay low and go. Crawl with your head one to two feet above the floor.
Get out and stay out. Close doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
Go to your family meeting place outside, away from the home.
Call the fire department or 911 once you are safely out.
Kids Fire Safety and Home Fire Safety Resources
Video for Families: “Where’s the Fire?”
Printable Fire Fighter Coloring Book for Kids”
February 4th, 2010 at 7:12 am
Just wasting some free time on Digg and I found your article . Not typically what I prefer to learn about, but it was certainly worth my time. Thanks.