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