Smoke Alarms:

  • Make sure everyone in your home, including children, know what the fire alarm sounds like and what it means.
  • Smoke alarms that include the option for a recordable announcement in addition to the regular alarm sound may be helpful in waking children.
  • Separate notification appliances that produce a complex low frequency audible signal when activated by the sound of the smoke alarm have also been shown to help awaken children.

Fire Escape Plan:

  • Children are more likely to understand and remember your fire escape plan if they are involved in creating it.
  • Assign a responsible family member and a backup person to assist infants and small children during fire drills and fire emergencies.
  • Teach older children to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
  • Make sure that your children can easily open doors and windows leading to the outside.
  • To help your family make a fast escape, try to keep floors, hallways and stairs free of clutter and toys.
  • Teach everyone in the family how to call 911 from a neighbor’s home or cellular phone once they have safely gotten outside.
  • Make sure your children understand that they should get out and stay out. They should not try to go back into the house for their toys, pets or other family members.

Fire Drills:

  • Make sure children are comfortable practicing during the day before you try a nighttime fire drill.
  • Let them know before they go to bed that there will be a fire drill during the night.
  • If your child does not awaken to the sound of the alarm during your nighttime fire drill, assign both a primary family member and a backup person to be responsible for waking him/her during fire drills and fire emergencies.
  • Teach your child to “get low and go.” Practice with them so they know to stay as low as possible to go under the smoke during an escape.