Fire Safety Tips for Parents - How to Prevent a Fire Tragedy in Your Home

No one wants to believe they will ever be faced with a fire in their home, but the reality is that fires do happen, and it is best to be prepared. With a little preparation and practice your family will have a much greater chance of surviving a fire.

The following tips will help you prepare your home and family in case of a fire:

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• Install smoke detectors in your home. Check the batteries at least twice a year. Try to pick a significant date, such as New Years Day, to replace the batteries. If you hear a chirping sound coming from your smoke detector it is time to replace the battery.
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• Do not use candles around children, pets or flammable objects such as curtains. Never leave a candle unattended or near an open window.
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• Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Teach all the family members how to use it.
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• If you have second floor bedrooms have an escape ladder. Make sure there are two ways out of every room.
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• Place matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Remember that children may use a stool or other object to reach up high. It is best if you can keep them locked up or not have them in your house.
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• Make sure all windows can be opened and are big enough for an adult to fit through.
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• Never smoke in bed or fall asleep smoking while sitting on a piece of furniture.
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• Use the back burner on the stove whenever possible. Always turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
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• Roll up your sleeves while cooking to avoid catching your sleeves on fire.
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• Close bedroom doors to keep deadly heat and smoke out of the bedrooms.
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• Have fire drills with all of your family members. Let them hear what the smoke detectors sound like.
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• Explain to your children that if they hear the smoke detectors they need to leave immediately. Tell them not to hide and they shouldn't stop to find toys, pets, etc.
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• Draw a map of all the rooms in your house along with your escape routes.
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• Have everyone agree on a meeting place outside of your house. Practice meeting at this place during the fire drills.
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• Teach children how to feel doors to see if they are hot. Tell them not to open the door if it is hot.
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• Teach the children how to stop, drop and roll if they catch fire. Have the children practice these steps.
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By following these tips, and taking just a moment to practice, you may be saving your own life, and the lives of your children.