Fire
Prevention Week: a wonderful learning opportunity
As
you drive through Dansville in early October, chances are that you
will see the various fire departments visiting the different schools
as part of their prevention awareness campaign. Given the size of
Growing Places, we pay a visit to the fire station with a group of
daycare providers in the area. In conjunction with this field trip,
we read lots of books, plan our fire escape, and have a fire drill.
Following are some suggestions for involving your child in planning
for the safety of your family.
- Check smoke detectors- one on each floor, with working batteries.
- Plan and rehearse escape in a non-threatening situation: 2 exits from each location.
- Mark children's bedrooms so they are easily identifiable to firefighters in case of emergency. Stickers are available through the fire dept. (if child is no longer using that room, remove the sticker!)
- Talk to your children about:
- 911 and the importance of using it only in emergency, no pulling false alarms etc.
- Finding or playing with matches, lighters, appliances, etc.
- A common meeting place in case of emergency escape (e.g., under the tree in the backyard next door)
Again,
it is important that we do this in a non-threatening manner, so as
not to make the children unnecessarily fearful.
Questions to Ask Your Children
What
could happen if you stand to close to the fireplace or wood stove?
What
would happen if you touch a radiator or heater when it is on?
What
should you do if you find matches or a lighter?
Why
shouldn’t you use the stove without an adult helping you?
Pot
handles should not hang over the front of a stove. Why?
What
might happen if you put something like a shirt or blanket over a
lamp?
What
would happen if you stick something in an electrical socket.
What
is a smoke alarm?
How
might you know if something in the house is burning?
Why
should there be a smoke alarm near your bedroom?
What
would you do if there was a fire in your house?
What
is the number you should call if there is an emergency?
Why
should you call that number only in an emergency?
Books
