Fire-Ready Kids

FIRE SAFETY MATTERS

According to a press release from the National Fire Protection Association. "In 2019, local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.3 million fires. These fires caused roughly 3,700 civilian fire deaths and 16,600 reported civilian fire injuries. Property damage was estimated at $14.8 billion. On average, a fire department responded to a fire somewhere in the US every 24 seconds in 2019."

We should all know the have basic fire prevention and safety devices and know how to use them:

• smoke detectors
• carbon monoxide detectors
• fire extinguishers
• escape ladders

We should all recognizes basic hazards and know how to correct them:

• open flames
• damaged wiring or devices
• overloaded circuits and outlets
• flammable and hazardous products
• clutter around heat and electrical sources...and so on.

We should all know the resources nearest our homes: police, fire, hospital, local public safety official and emergency management. Learning and practicing fire safety with your children can help them to better face a traumatic event as a home fire.

In their flyer, "Helping Children Cope During and After a Disaster, A Resource for Parents and Caregivers", the Center for Disease control points out that before disaster strikes, reassuring your children and teaching them what to do can help them to better cope. Children look to their parents for emotional leadership. If you feel helpless and out of control they will too. If you feel confident and prepared, they will too. How do you want your kids to feel?

KIDDING AROUND

If your house catches on fire, it is going to be scary and painful and sad. So how to your prepare your kids for that in a way that isn't scary, painful or sad. My best answer...EVERYBODY PLAY!!! Here are a couple of games that might just save your life.

FIRE SAFETY BINGO/SCAVENGER HUNT

Use s bingo card like the one pictured below or make up your own. Play as a family and have the kids help you complete each item on the bingo card. For an older child you can use the bingo card for a scavenger hunt and have a reward for completion. You're family will have the reward of a safer home.

THE REAL DRILL

This games requires a blindfold and some loud music. We have all had a fire drill where an alarm was sounded and we were instructed line up, stay calm and quickly exit the building. That's a great thing to do...but what if you wake up in the middle of the night in a house that is already on fire.

• maybe you didn't hear the smoke alarm
• maybe you don't have electricity because that's what started the fire
• maybe it's noisy, and dark and smoky and loud and confusing.

Calmly walking out isn't really an option here. So how to you practice for a really bad fire. Get a blindfold and some loud music (you can use headphones if you don't want the neighbors to call in a noise complaint).

One player at a time until you get good enough that you think you can all play at one. Take one person. Stand them on the floor next to their bed. Put on the blindfold, crank up the music and have another family member turn them around in a circle again and again and then guide them to the floor so they are are their hands and knees. (The people who can see are there for safety, to make sure the person who is blindfolded doesn't accidentally get hurt.)

Once the player is disoriented and on the floor it's time for them to practice the evacuation plan. They can't see well, hear well and there is smoke and superheated air near the ceiling. Can they make it to safety? Will you feel silly and possibly even laugh watching the first attempts? The answer to both of those question is YES!

This is a hilarious but oh so helpful game of escape and everyone in the family takes a turn. You'll find yourself adjusting as you learn and thinking of ways to make yourself and the ones you loves fare better through the worst day ever, even if it never comes. And when you are all able to evacuate safely and quickly you will all feel a greater sense of confidence and control.

I hope you enjoyed these tips for making your family Fire-Ready with fun and play. I encourage you to connect with your local emergency responders and take advantage of the online resources and training provided by FEMA, the Red Cross, the CDC, and the National Fire Protection Association. If you liked this article, please click the heart at the bottom of this page and share this link with others. If you'd like to financially support Disaster Drama Queen's to promote practical preparedness and community safety you can use the Tip option. Wishing you health, happiness and comfort - The Disaster Drama Queen