5 Ways to Practice Family Fire Safety with First Alert

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If there is one thing that’s always at the forefront of my mind it is the safety of my family. I am responsible for three little ones, and refreshing family fire safety is easy and essential for my peace of mind. There are two approaches to fire safety, both as important as each other: equipment/precautions, and educating the family. Today I’m taking a look at both…

I’ve been addressing family fire safety this past week by having a good talk with the kids and installing a new 10-Year Combination Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Voice Alerts. In the process I’ve put together 5 ways you can review your family fire safety at home:

1 Plan & Practice an Escape Route with Your Family

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends practicing your family escape plan twice a year. You’ll want to identify all escape routes, ideally two exits from each room, and discuss as a group how to prioritize a route to safety.

The Twins are 3yrs old and can only take on so much at this age. I do not want to encourage them with suggestions for climbing out of windows. But my daughter is a sensible nearly 9yr-old and is able to understand how to make an educated decision to change exit if required. I find it more helpful to ask questions rather than give instructions. This way I can assess her existing knowledge and fill in the gaps where required.

Although it might seem common sense to head away from the fire and out of the house, it is important to give your children a safe location to wait for help. My daughter knows to go to our neighbors house in the event of an emergency.

2 Install Quality 10-Year Alarms

If you haven’t checked your alarms in a while or have moved somewhere new, take the time to review the date and location of your alarms.

First Alert 10-year sealed battery alarms offer hassle-free protection that helps keep your home and family protected for a decade! Their 10-Year Combination Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm means there are no battery replacements for the life of the alarm… no extra costs, no late night low-battery chirps and climbing up ladders to change batteries.

No alarm lasts forever, so remember to replace your alarms at least every ten years. To help, the 10-Year Combination Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm from First Alert offers an end-of-life warning. This let’s you know when it’s time to replace.

3 Prevention & Stop, Drop & Roll

Aside from escaping a house fire, it is also important for kids to understand how to avoid a fire starting. Children often associate fire with wood and may not realize items such as aerosol cans, electrical cords and lamps can start a fire.

Understanding that clothes and fabric easily set alight can also help avoid a nasty accident. And if their clothes do catch fire, they should know what to do.

This is where the ‘stop, drop, and roll‘ comes in:

• Stop where you are.
• Drop to the ground. Cover your face and mouth with hands.
• Roll back and forth until the flames are out.

Practicing this drill can be fun for any age, and engagement is key to solidify understanding. But do make sure your kids understand this is for flaming clothes only, not a response to a fire alarm sounding.

4 Install Enough Alarms for Optimum Safety

As well as the age of your alarms, you may want to review their location. For optimum safety you should install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level and in every bedroom of your home.

A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.

How to Make a Home Fire Escape Plan. NFPA. (www.nfpa.org/)

It’s the law! Did you know all states have legislation requiring smoke alarms? States like New York and New Jersey have legislation that just went or will go into effect that requires 10-year sealed battery alarms. Check the requirements in your state. https://www.firstalert.com/community/legislation/

The benefits of multiple alarms on each floor goes beyond range. Some First Alert 10-Year Combination Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms also have voice alerts. This alarm will tell you the type and location of danger in your home. This can allow you to make a quick decision on your best escape route.

5 Age Appropriate Drills

A key reason to revisit your family fire safety regularly is the ever changing needs and abilities of your children. As they become older they are more able to digest the serious nature of a house fire, and can take more responsibility for their own exit.

If you have a two storey home you should have escape ladders handy for emergency window escape. This method of exit will be much more effective if the children have practiced using them. This is not an appropriate exercise for the very young ones but when you feel your child is old enough to safely practice the climb down, it is worth adding to your drill.

Make a game out of feeling their way to safety. Most ages can practice this, and it could make all the difference in a smoke filled house.

Once your child is old enough, they will be able to evaluate their exit options. Teach them to touch a closed door before opening. If hot, choose a different exit.

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Putting this post together has given myself and my family a refresher for family fire safety. It is something that’s always evolving and depends on your family makeup and your home. For more tips on fire safety and 10-year battery sealed alarms, visit the First Alert website.