How to Create a Family Fire Safety Plan

Do you have a family fire safety plan? Do your children know the safe routes out of the house if there is a fire? Where will your family meet up outside? When your child was born, you wanted to know all of the top baby proofing tips for new parents. And now, a family fire safety plan is one of the most important things you should make with your family.

No one likes to think about these types of things but if they happen, it’s extremely important that you and your children know what to do. My daughter is used to practicing fire drills at school, but if we don’t practice at home, how will my kids know what to do in the event of an emergency?

Together we chose a designated meet up spot outside. In case of a house fire, we agreed that if my daughter gets to the meeting spot before my husband or I, she needs to go to the neighbor’s house and ask them to help call the fire department. She continues to practice our address and phone number, which are important for her to know as well. Here is how you can create a family fire safety plan at home too.

How to Create a Family Fire Safety Plan

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Get or create a floor plan of your home – If you don’t have actual plans of your home, draw them on paper. They don’t have to be exact or to scale. It just needs to be good enough that everyone can recognize the various rooms of the home. Use this floor plan to design the escape route. In case of fire, your family should always know where the nearest exit is and there should always be a clear and safe path to get there.

Have a backup plan – In addition to your regular escape plan, there should be a backup plan. I recently quizzed my daughter to find two ways out of her bedroom. What windows could you or your children possibly escape through if the door is not safe to open? Know where all the windows are and ensure that they open properly. Teach each family member how to use them and get out of them if needed.

Have a meeting place – It’s also important that you have a designated meeting place outside the home. It should be a place everyone will meet at after escaping the house and be far enough away from danger. The meeting place could be a tree, a neighbor’s house, a mailbox or some other marker that you have agreed on beforehand so all family members will know that you made it out safe.

Check all fire and smoke alarms – Smoke alarms and detectors are very important. They will alert everyone when there is danger. Be sure they are always in good working order and with fresh batteries.

Know basic fire safety – Teach children never to play with matches or lighters. This is also a good time for kids to create their own Fire Safety Lapbook. They will learn a lot of helpful information, including how to treat minor burns.

Also, ensure adults never smoke in bed or go to bed with fireplaces still burning, and otherwise practice good fire safety tips.

Fire Safety Books for Kids

• No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons)
• Stop, Drop, and Roll (A Book About Fire Safety)
• The Berenstain Bears: Safe and Sound
• Miss Mingo and the Fire Drill

Now that you know how to create a family fire safety plan, there is no time to waste. No one likes to think about a disaster like a fire but being prepared is incredibly important. Don’t delay. Create a family fire safety plan today.

More Safety Tips:

• 8 Amusement Park Safety Tips For Families
• Car Seat Safety Features You Can See
• 4 Tips For Food Safety For Game Day