It is important that you not only make a fire plan but that you practice it regularly. This keeps it fresh in everyone's mind.
- Hold fire drills at least twice a year. A good way to remember fire drills
might be to have one every time someone in the family has a birthday. Of
course, larger families will have more drills than smaller ones,
but the more people you have, the more you should practice.
- Fire drills do not have to happen in the middle of the night or be a
complete surprise in order to be effective. While a surprise drill may
not be a bad
idea once in a while, just having the drills is a good opportunity
for everyone to practice what they know.
- Have family members start the drill from their bed. Be sure they crawl
low and feel doors before opening them. Go down stairways on your bottom.
- Time your drills. Try to beat your previous time.
- It’s okay for the drill to be a game, especially for younger children.
It is how most of us learn best. In fact, call it the fire drill game.
It will seem less scary to a younger child.
- If your family gets really good at it then test them further. Make a sign that says "fire" and put it in the path of exit. Make them choose a second way.
NOTE: Stop the drill before anyone actually climbs out of a window so that no one gets hurt.
