Family Fire Drills

When you come from a long line of fire fighters, fire safety becomes a way of life. Kathy Richard's family in Saugus, Massachusetts, are more aware of fire safety than the average family. Her father, uncles and brothers all work as firemen.

"My father and brothers tell us about the devastation of fire all the time. Fire is every bit as deadly as drugs, alcohol, firearms and the like, but we don't teach the kids enough about it, I feel."

Residential fires are responsible for 80 percent of the fire deaths each year. According to the National Fire Data Center, in 1998 there were over 381,000 residential fires accountable for 3250 deaths and over 17,000 injuries. Unbelievably, the US has the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. If fire is one of the most common disasters a family can face, it's also one of the most preventable. With precautions and preparation, your family doesn't have to become a statistic.

Elementary schools often offer a fire safety program. If they do, it's important that you reaffirm what your child has learned. If the school doesn't have a regular safety program, consider talking with the teacher or principal about starting one. Most fire and rescue squads have access to children's programs and are more than willing to implement one.

Fire can be frightening to a young child, but if you work with your child, making your own house fire safe, you can alleviate a lot of their fears. Not only will you be practicing firesafety, but you'll also be giving your child a feeling of empowerment.

"It absolutely empowered them." Kathy Richards agrees, "They feel like they can escape a fire, because they know how to outsmart it. We first started having fire drills when our oldest was about three. Never too young to start."

Though fire drills can be an enjoyable time for your family, your children should know this is a serious matter. Have your child help you draw a complete map of your house. Then prepare escape routes from every room in your home. Plan on at least two different escape routes for each room. If you're living in a two story house or apartment, plan on how each member of the family will reach the ground.

Other suggestions for a family fire drill:

Decide on a meeting place outside the house such as near the mailbox or driveway. On your map, draw the escape routes in red and place them where everyone can see them and be reminded of your emergency exit plan.

Practicing your drill:

• Everyone decides what the "signal" will be to start the drill.
• Everyone takes their place in their own bedroom.
• When the signal sounds, the drill begins.
• Everyone then closes the doors between their rooms and the main exit.
• Each person checks their emergency exit.
• Everyone leaves the house.
• When the family meets at the safety zone, stress the importance of being calm, closing doors, and testing doors to closed rooms for heat beforeng them. Remind them, once they are out, stay out.

Fire safety doesn't end with the fire drill.

"We have fire extinguishers in the kitchen, in the laundry/furnace room (a lot of fires start in back of a clothes dryer, or near a furnace.) and one near the fireplace," says Kathy, "we have a smoke detector on each floor, and a carbon monoxide detector as well. We also make sure we keep things like paper towel holders away from the stove area, and we are very careful about where candles are placed and what they are placed in."

After you have your family fire drill, spend some time with your children going over the fire safety checklist and see how fire safe your home is. The most important piece of equipment you can have in your home is the smoke detector. Use the test button to check each smoke detector once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace batteries at least once a year.

By practicing good fire safety habits and holding yearly fire drills you can greatly reduce the chances of you and your family being harmed in a fire.

Fire safety checklist:

Keep a tight fitting lid handy when cooking. It can be used to smother a fire in a pan. Baking soda or a fire extinguisher can also be used.

When you barbecue, have a water source handy. Stay well clear of ignitable objects, both to the side and overhead. Lighter fluid is similar to gasoline, treat it accordingly.

Fireplaces and woodstoves must be installed according to fire codes. The codes include minimum distances to be maintained from ignitable objects.

Chimneys must be kept clean and in good repair. Have them inspected annually

Lint screens should be cleaned on a regular basis. Excessive lint build-up can cause fires.

Your furnace or heating equipment should be checked and serviced at regular intervals.

Change furnace filters, service burners, clean ducts, and clean heating elements.

Saturated cleaning rags should be in closed, airtight containers to avoid spontaneous combustion.

Be suspicious of electrical appliances or equipment that do not work properly. Clues might be a strange "tingle" when touched, or an unusual or hot smell. Flickering lights and frequently blown fuses (or tripped circuit breakers) are also warnings.