By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON February 17, 2012 The Burlington Fire Department has an idea for your family on Family Day. Not quite the same as goofing around and doing nothing.
The fire department is asking families to make a home fire escape plan and practice it as part of their Family Day activities on Monday, Feb. 20.
This little girl got out of the house - the tragedies are when people don't make it out during a fire. Plan an escape on Family Day
“Everyone is responsible to ensure they know what to do if a fire occurs in their home,” said Public Education Officer Lisa Cockerill. “If there is a fire in your home, it’s important to be alerted by working smoke alarms so you can quickly execute your family’s escape plan.”
Simple steps for home fire escape planning include:
Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas. It’s the law. For the best protection, install smoke alarms in every bedroom.
Develop a home fire escape plan; discuss it with the entire family and practise the escape plan.
Check that all exits are unobstructed and easy to use.
Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance.
Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for.
If caught in a smoke-filled area, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.
You can too escape safely from fires that rage like this.
Call the fire department from outside the home, from a cell phone or neighbour’s home.
Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building.
Doesn’t sound very cool does it, common sense seldom is “cool” to the younger people. But we’re not talking to the younger set; we are talking to parents and as you take the GO or drive to work on Tuesday you might think about the important thing you did for your children – and it could be made into a fun event.
You may have only seconds to safely escape your home. Practice your home fire escape plan and know where to meet outside the home to save your life and the lives of loved ones.
