"Children's ability to escape a fire hinges on two things - an alarm that will dependably awaken them, and a reliable, easy-to-follow, well-practiced escape route," says Steve Forman, co-founder of REDDCO Inc., a company that specializes in fire escape and safety products. "According to the U.S. Fire Administration, children as young as 3 years old can follow a fire escape plan if they have practiced it often."
Tonight at dinner create a fire escape plan. Your plan should include two exits from every room in the house, especially bedrooms. Familiarize children with the location and sound of all smoke alarms. Practice your escape plan with your child. Repeat the lesson throughout the year. Familiarize your children with the sound the fire alarm makes and to have a plan for after the exit. Where to meet, what neighbors to go to, the next steps are crucial.