What happens when a smoke alarm sounds in your home? The answer to that question is based on your level of preparedness and how well your family is taught to react in this situation.
The answer should be, GET OUT!! On average, you will have one to two minutes to get to a safe place when a smoke alarm sounds. That means the first priority should be to get to safety. Each and every person in the household who can walk should know where that place of safety is. It should be a location outside the home where everyone can gather to be accounted for. It should be a place away from power lines and out of the way of emergency vehicles.
Safe procedures are a result of knowing what to do. Make up a simple plan and teach everyone in the family what to do and where to go in an emergency situation. Make a game of it with the kids. If they are of school age, they are already familiar with fire drills and how to respond calmly.
Children should also be taught how to dial “911” in an emergency, and every school-age child should know their home address and a phone number of a parent.
October is the month chosen to focus on fire safety, and each week we’ll be touching on safety tips for your family. For more information on education and fire safety tips, go online and check out the site www.firepreventionweek.org.
This week, say “Thank You!” to a fire fighter, EMT or policeman, and remember, help is just around the corner at your local hardware store.
