A recent letter to the editor in the Post Bulletin reminded me that this is something I have neglected to do. My kids are preschoolers and younger, but I believe it is still very important to teach them what to do in the event of a fire. ‘Tis also the season to double check my extinguishers and smoke detector batteries as well.
In the letter to the editor, written by Lyle Felsch, Deputy Fire Chief of the Rochester Fire Department, he gives a few key points to reinforce when developing a fire safety plan. Make sure:
- … everyone has an opportunity to hear and respond quickly to a smoke detector or alarm. Install a smoke detector on every level and inside each bedroom.
- … to have at least two ways out of every room that leads to an exit from the home as quickly and safely as possible. Each bedroom should have an escape window.
- … to have a common meeting place to determine that everyone is safely out and wait for the fire department. Use a wireless phone or cell phone to call 911.
- … children should never be assigned any other responsibility than their own escape. In the event of a fire, pets may be difficult to control. Should a child delay their own escape to look for a pet, it could cost them their life. Also, failure of a child to save a pet they were assigned responsibility for can leave lasting emotional scars.
Fire safety is something that can be easily overlooked, but invaluable in making sure your family can escape safely.
Full letter to the editor in the Post Bulletin Opinion section
