Tips From Firefighter Joe on Fire Safety

Recently, our children went to visit the fire station and they met Firefighter Joe and Firefighter Chris.  Firefighter Joe talked about fire safety while Firefighter Chris donned all his equipment and showed the children what a fireman would look like when fighting a fire.  The children also enjoyed trying on his hat, looking through his face mask and trying on his coat. 

Stop Drop & Roll

Stop where you are.  Don't run as running will make the flames bigger.

Drop to the ground and cover your face with your hands.

Roll over and over to the flames go out.

Create a Fire Escape Plan For Your Home

Firefighter Joe urged the children to talk to their parents or an adult about making two escape plans  to exit the house if ever a fire.  Practice these escape routes with your children.  (hint:  draw an escape route of your home and hang it in a central place.)

Smoke Detectors

The children were urged to ask their parents where their smoke detectors are located and what they sound like (warn the children first before sounding the smoke detector).  Firefighter Joe told the children to leave the house if they should ever hear the smoke detectors sound.  The children were told to never reenter the home.  Toys and even pets are replaceable but they are not.  Have the children repeat to you "GET OUT, STAY OUT" to you several times.

Crawl Under the Smoke

Firefighter Joe taught the children to crawl under smoke when there is a fire.  The children enjoyed demonstrating with each other.       

Don't Hide

Fire is scary but don't hide under a bed or in a closet during a fire.  The children learned that hiding will make it hard for the firemen to find them.

 

Ten Tips for Fire Safety at Home

1. Take care in the kitchen.  Never leave cooking unattended and always turn pot handles in.
    

2. Supervise children.  Children need to be protected from fire, and from the potential for starting fires.
    

3. Heat your home safely.  Place your heater at least one meter from flammable items such as curtains, furniture, toys and bedding.
    

4. Practice safe smoking.  Wet down cigarette butts before disposing of them.  Never smoke in bed.
    

5. Take care with electricity.  Have an electrician check the electrical wiring throughout your home.  Keep your home appliances in good working order.
    

6. Install a smoke alarm.  Keep your smoke alarms clean, and test them regularly.
    

7. Plan your home escape.  Create an escape plan and practice escaping from your home.
    

8. Use home security that lets you get out quickly.  Keep a key in the dead-lock so that you can escape quickly in the event of a fire.
    

9. Check portable fire extinguishers.  Check the pressure gauge on the extinguisher regularly.
    

10. Be prepared.  Know which fire safety equipment to use, and know how to use it.