Pa. Farmhouse Fire Sparks Emergency Preparedness Concerns

Teddy and Janelle Clouse, a Mennonite family from rural Loysville Pa. lost seven children when their farmhouse burned Tuesday. Janelle was milking the cows and Teddy was delivering milk. The Clouse's loss sparks concern about family emergency preparedness.

Here's what happened. According to the Pittsburg Post-Gazette, Janelle Clouse was working in the barn at about 10 p.m. The couple's eight children, Christina, 11; Isabele, 9; Brady, 7; Hannah, 6; Heidi, 4; Leigha 3, Maranda, 2; and Samantha, 7 months were alone in the house when the fire broke out.

Three-year-old Leigha was watching television and rushed out to the barn to get her mother. Teddy Clouse, on a milk delivery, had gotten sleepy and pulled off the side of the road. Janelle could not get into the house because of the intensity of the fire. She went looking for a neighbor to call 911 and then to wake her husband. When firefighters arrived it was too late; the other seven children had died of smoke inhalation.

Without faulting the Clouse's and with deepest sympathy, it's important to ask: could this tragedy possibly have been prevented? What can we as parents take away from this terrible tragedy? Family emergency preparedness. Here are resources for parents to prepare their children for emergencies and prevent home fires.

-Communication. Parents need a method of communication, like cell phones or pagers. Children need communication devices, especially if they are left alone or in charge of siblings. Cell phones and pagers can be used as alarms in case of emergency. They can be set on Emergency Mode, giving them direct access to 911. Cell phones are especially important if a family has no land-line telephone.

-Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. Most building codes require smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to be in place in a home. Children need to be taught how to use a fire extinguisher. They should know where it is kept.

-Stop, drop and roll. These three words save lives. Teach children how to navigate in a burning building.

-Make a family escape plan. Firefighters say that in a fire, doors are often to hot open or blocked by fire. Plan alternate escape routes from each room, via windows. Keep a rope handy in second story bedrooms. A blanket works too. If necessary, jump from a second story window. Better a broken ankle than burned to death.

-Run practice fire drills. Show children how to get out using these methods.

These are only a few tips. Here are several fire safety websites for families and children:

Sparky the Fire Dog

Fire Safety For Kids

USFA from FEMA

"Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes from 25 years teaching K-8, ESL, special needs, adult education and homeschool. She's also a mom of four and passionate about child welfare, family issues, sustainable living and social justice. Marilisa writes about parenting for the Yahoo! Contributor Network."