How to Teach Your Children About Fire Escape Plans

About 3,400 people in the United States die each year, as a result of fire, and an additional 17,500 suffer injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Creating a family fire-escape plan can mean the difference between life and death, in the event that a fire occurs in your home. Once you have your fire plan set in place, you'll need to teach it to your children, as well as have your children participate in fire-evacuation drills on a regular basis.

Things You'll Need

  • Collapsible ladders

Instructions

    • 1

      Take your children into each room of the home and point out the two exits you have designated in the fire-escape plan you created.

    • 2

      Demonstrate how to use a collapsible ladder in a window on the second floor. Ask your child to repeat what you just did to make sure she understands how to use it. Emphasize that the ladder is only to be used in a fire emergency, and not for play. One ladder should be available in each room above the first floor, says the American Red Cross.

    • 3

      Walk your children through each exit, straight to the assigned meeting location. This may out front by the mailbox, or at a neighbors house. Whichever location you choose, it shouldn't be too close to the house.

    • 4

      Explain to your children that they should never run and hide during a fire. This would make it too hard for the firemen to find them, says the U.S. Fire Administration. Let them know the best thing to do is follow the exit plan and yell out for help, if they need it.

    • 5

      Practice the "stop, drop and roll" technique so that your children know what to do if any part of their clothing catches fire. Doing this alongside your children will help them become comfortable with the procedure.

    • 6

      Practice escaping from each room within the home again, but this time on your hands and knees. This will teach children how to get out, if there is smoke in the air. The National Safety Council recommends teaching the kids to practice crawling out with a blindfold on, as the smoke may obstruct their vision.

    • 7

      Show the kids how to touch the door to the room they are in when they hear the smoke detector go off, or they spot smoke. If the door is warm or hot, instruct the kids to keep the door closed and to stuff a towel or piece of clothing under the door. Take the kids to the nearest window and demonstrate how to open it and wave something colorful by the window to get the attention of a neighbor or passerby.

    • 8

      Organize two days each year to practice the fire escape plan that you and your children are now comfortable with, says the U.S. Fire Administration. It is always a good idea to practice your escape plan, as younger children may forget the plan, over time.

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