FIRE SAFETY 

 All families need to take special measures to ensure the safety of their homes for the children, parents, and themselves.  One of the most important items to have in the home is a first aid kit or emergency preparedness kit.  With these first aid kits, you can be ready to meet the needs of your family.

 In addition to first aid kits there are some simple measures that you can take in the home to safe guard your family and yourself.  Firstaidkitsnow.com is happy to present you with a series of articles in the form of a checklist to help your identify risk factors that are often overlooked but easily fixed.  The first of these articles is on Fire Safety.  Review each of the following safety tips and check the ones that you need to work/practice on: Fire Safety

1. ·         The fire department number is posted on every telephone.  All family members are familiar with 911 procedures. 
2. ·          Notify the fire/police department if a disabled/elderly person is in the home.
3. ·          Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home including the basement.  Test the fire alarms every month to make sure they are working properly.  Install batteries twice a year when you change your clocks for daylight savings time in the fall and spring.
4. ·         Fire extinguishers should be checked every 3 months for stability.  Instructions should be reviewed with family members.  This is a good time to check the contents of your first aid kit.
5. ·         Make a family fire escape plan and practice it every six months.  At least two different escape routes should be planned from each room for each family member.  A specific family member should be assigned to the elderly, infants or disabled person.  If one of the escapes routes is a window make sure that it opens easily.  Obtain one or several rope ladders if your home is more than one floor.  Review this plan with all caregivers.  Make sure that caregivers know where to find your first aid kit or emergency preparedness kit.
6. ·         If you live in an apartment building know where the exit stairs are located.
7. ·         Designate a safe place in front of the home or apartment building for members to meet after escaping the fire.  You may want to purchase a first aid kit or first aid supplies for your car so you can have the supplies readily available.
8. ·         If your fire escape route is cut off, remain calm, close the door and seal cracks to hold back the smoke.  Signal for help from a window.
9. ·        A bed bound person can be evacuated to a safe area by placing him/her on a sturdy blanket and pulling/dragging them out of the home.
10. ·        Purchase a fireproof safe and put all of your important documents or items in it.

    ·        Remember SAFETY FIRST—DO NOT GO BACK INTO A BURNING BUILDING. 

We hope that this checklist has been helpful to your family and you.  Appropriate planning and first aid kits can help you to manage any disasters.