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