Teaching your family how to handle a home fire can be a challenging task to accomplish, but the benefits of having a plan may come in handy.

For young children, it’s about educating them about preparedness and hoping never to need the plans.

Here are some practical home fire safety tips to think about teaching your small kids!

1. Discuss Your Home’s Escape Plan

You should have an escape plan for each level or room in the house. Everybody’s starting point may vary, so by having an escape plan in place for each area, you can ensure everyone knows what to do and where to go.

These plans will help ensure a safe exit and a secure meet-up once the escape occurs.

2. Educate Kids About the Windows

You should consider having your home built for fire resistance, especially if you live in a high-risk area for wildfires. Then consider educating your family about the windows. Many young kids don’t realize how quickly they can remove the window to evacuate.

Additionally, ensure the older kids know how to quickly and correctly remove screens and security bars so they can use the window should the flames be at their bedroom door.

3. Teach Them How To Check for Heat

If the flames and heat are at the child’s bedroom door, they are likely to open the door all the way without realizing it. Help them understand how to check for heat using the back of their hands to avoid opening the door and inviting the fire into their room.

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If the door is hot on the back of the hand, they should execute their escape plan through their window.

For additional safety, consider hanging a towel or blanket on the back of their bedroom door. This can help them avoid contact burns, cover their mouths, or protect their faces.

4. Practice Makes Perfect

The first time you introduce home fire safety to your kids, they will not retain the information. You must practice the escape plans from every start point and continue to practice on a routine basis.

This will ensure they are prepared in the event of a fire and help provide you peace of mind that they can help themselves in an emergency.

Also, consider practicing safety measures for the meet-up location outside the home. If everyone escapes promptly from a different starting location, it’s beneficial to understand how to connect once you’re outside.

Thinking about a home fire stirs a lot of anxiety for parents and caregivers alike. But teaching your family, especially young children, the importance of fire safety and escape plans can save a life.