We can all imagine that counting down the days until summer vacation may be the only math that children are accomplishing in school as they spend their time daydreaming of video games and summer fun during the school day. More power to them, these kids have been through the wringer this last year and a half, and have earned a well-deserved break.
However, especially during COVID, summer break often means more children home alone during the day. This almost always translates to more risk, especially fire and injury risks due to children/teens performing more adult tasks without adult supervision. I think this is the perfect time to talk about fire safety.
While we always recommend checking the batteries in smoke detectors every six months, its common that most people get their normal dose of fire safety during the Christmas season and then forget about it again until the Christmas lights go back up next season. I think you’re lucky if you remember to replace your batteries and check your detectors during spring cleaning. I always like to push fire safety during Christmas and Summer break just for this reason.
So, just to cover our bases here are 10 fire safety tips to help keep you and your family safe during summer:
1. Fire catches, so don't play with matches.
- Matches, lighters and flammable materials are for adults only. Out of sight, out of mind is always a good practice, out of reach is always best!
2. SQUIRREL!!!
- Limit distractions when cooking. I am even guilty of getting a little too into the music, running too many pans at one time, or watching/listening to a podcast while I get dinner together for the family. Make sure we talk about safe cooking practices, especially cooking surface tidiness focusing on keeping items away from hot burners an appliances.
3. Out of the frying pan into the fire
- We should all know by now that when you throw water in a pan with oil, you get a fireball. Teach your kids how to smother stove fires using a lid or thick, DAMP (not wet) towel.
4. Don't get all fired up
- Unplug Small appliances when not in use. Your child or teenager probably doesn’t need a cup of coffee throughout the day. Unplug the Keurig or Coffee mate when you leave for the office, along with any other appliances that aren’t in use. Not only will it cause less stress on the electrical box, but it will also save you money too.
5. Meals on wheels
- Meal plan easy to make meals. Limit the risk by getting meal items that, at most, need to be microwaved, or plan to have sandwiches or other meals that require no cooking at all. Making too much food the night before to ensure leftovers is always a good plan, and again can save you some dough.
6. Go out with a bang?
- Summer is synonymous with the 4th of July and is typically associated with fireworks and outdoor grilling. Kids are resourceful, make sure to limit their access to fireworks so that they can only be used with adults. Again, out of sight, out of mind, out of reach.
7. Five alarm fire!
- Make sure to change out the batteries and test your fire and Carbon monoxide detectors using the test button located on the front face of the device. Do this preferably every six months at a minimum. Early warning and notification are always essential during an emergency.
8. Sounds like a plan!
- Have a craft night with the kids and create a floor plan of your house, include fire escapes, fire extinguisher locations, hazards and obstructions, and more. Feel free to put emergency contact numbers and addresses on there and hang it on the refrigerator.
9. Practice makes perfect
- Put that new plan in action by having fire drills! Make it a game and see who can crawl the lowest, get out the fastest, test doors for safety and close them on the way out. Make sure they can get out of the house, stay out of the house and call for help.
10. Never PASS up a good time
- A basic fire extinguisher is less than $20 at Walmart. Make sure you have one in the house and teach your kids how to use it by telling them simply to PASS.
Finally, EMP2C always promotes communication as a critical part of any plan. Make sure your child knows where to go in an emergency, how to get there, and who they can call. Feel free to use our refrigerator emergency cards and children’s emergency contact cards in the links below. These cards can also be picked up in person at any class or event with EMP2C!
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