Many fires and fire-related injuries or deaths stem from common but preventable fire hazards in the home. Review rules for safe practices in heating, lighting, electricity, cooking, appliances, storing flammable chemicals and smoking. Assign a fire safety home survey for students to complete with their families. The National Fire Protection Association website (sparky.org/pdf/sparkychecklist.pdf) provides a fire safety checklist to help make children and families aware of fire hazards in their home and eliminate them.
When fire strikes despite preventive measures, knowing what to do prevents injury and saves lives. Explain that when your clothes catch fire, the safest response is, " Stop, drop and roll." Tell students to practice this maneuver. Knowing where fire extinguishers are located and how to use them to put out small fires is another important skill that helps children keep themselves and their families safe. Take a tour of the school to locate fire extinguishers and all possible exits.
When in a burning building, the first order of business is to get outside. Students should know at least two ways to get out of any room in the school or their homes. Examine school maps and diagram two ways to get out of the classroom, gymnasium, lunch room, music room, office and library. Assign homework for students to make a scale drawing of their home layouts, marking where all the doors, windows and fire extinguishers are located. Have them draw arrows to indicate two different escape routes from each room. Families should also arrange for a safe meeting place outside and identify a neighbor to go to for help. Role-plays of how to call 911 and what to tell the operator prepare children for a worst-case scenario.
With a fire escape plan in place, dry runs will build motor memory and increase the likelihood that children will remember to follow the plan when emergency strikes. Hold unannounced fire drills at random intervals to test children's responses. Vary the drills by blocking off some of the escape routes -- as if the fire is coming from that direction -- to force them to practice alternative routes.