What should I teach my three year old to do in case of a fire?

Question

I have a three year old and have been thinking it is about time to talk about fire safety. I know to teach her not to be afraid of firemen, but I'm not sure what else. I don't think she is capable of deciding whether it is safe to go one way or another in a fire, but at the same time I'm afraid if I tell her to stay in her room, well, what if I can't get to her and she loses the opportunity to get out? On the other hand I could never leave the house until I knew she was safe, how would I know if she had gotten out or was just wandering around? Chances are, there won't ever be a fire, but I know we need to have a plan in case. We have smoke detectors too, so we should be alerted early in case. So wise parents out there, what have you told your toddlers to do in case of a fire? Stay put and either mommy, daddy, or a firefighter will come get you? Or go outside to a designated spot if there isn't fire blocking the door?

Answer 1

As a firefighter I have seen this enough to know that even though your child is young, it's a necessity to teach them a a meeting spot outside of the house a good distance away if there is ever a fire. Staying put is probably the worst possible thing that can be done. Not only are there possibly toxic fumes that the child can inhale, there is obviously the intense heat of the flames. By telling them to stay put puts not only the parents at risk if they try to rescue the child but also the firefighters who are tasked with searching for and rescuing anyone inside the structure. However that is only my opinion and I am not a parent and more than likely am not qualified to instruct others how to parent. But I will say great job on teaching your child not to be scared of firefighters. We can be scarey looking when donning full turnout gear and SCBA's. As a final afterthought, teach them not to immediately open doors by grabbing the handle but by feeling it first with the back of their hand....This can prevent enlargement of the fire and decrease the risk of burns. But most of all keep things simple, they will undoubtedly panic and simplicity is the best way for a young child to remember (and practice it occasionally)

Answer 2

The fundamental facet isn't to scare him. If you've gotten a fireplace position or a garden fireplace pit, then you'll instruct plenty whilst making it a laugh. Explain and exhibit how with ease factor can seize fireplace and unfold. Show them learn how to appropriately construct a fireplace and the significance of maintaining it from attending to top. Buy a few couple of minutes pop and smores fixings and feature a well time. When you're instructing them approximately the fireplace is while you convey within the notion of the smoke alarms, fireplace extinguishers, and reliable break out plans. After you construct a few fires whilst having them watch, allow them to construct one. Some might say of no it is too detrimental to permit a little one construct a fireplace, however feel me the earlier they be taught the higher. I have obvious kids terrified of fires and paranoid approximately the hazards considering the fact that they had been taught fires are dangerous. Some different matters you'll instruct bout fires is the results of a hearth in nature. Gather a few pine cones, closed and open and exhibit him that a fireplace is helping to open the cone and permit the seeds out to type new development. The opened cones don't have seeds anymore considering the fact that the flora and fauna have eaten them, so in a few approaches fires aid in nature.It additionally removes ancient diseased bushes and brush leaving area for brand spanking new lifestyles. Have a laugh and might be with Christmas close you'll pop popcorn over your fireplace then string a few for the tree.

Answer 3

We live in an apartment building, in a small apartment, and I have taught my daughter that if she hears the building fire alarm go off that she needs to come to me right away. We live on the ground floor so she knows that if the alarm goes off, we will either go out the main doors, or climb out the window. Our building has a fire drill a couple of times a year, so during those times I practice with her on what to do.



Hold a fire drill with your daughter, where you set off your fire alarm so she knows what it sounds like, and go over it with her again and again until she understands what needs to be done. Also take her for a tour of the fire station and let her see them in their equipment. She may know to not be afraid of the fireman, but when the fireman is in his gear, they don't sound or look the same, and that can terrify anyone, not just a kid.

Answer 4

Why do we want our little ones to be little adults?



Seriously,all he needs to know right now is if the door is hot do not go near it or touch it and to lay down.If he is on fire tell him to Stop,Drop and Roll.Telling him too much of this stuff now,might just scare and upset him.He is still too young.

At about 4-5 sit down together as a family and talk about a plan together.You can even write up a map and let him keep it in his room.

Answer 5

Get out, stay out, scream at the top of her voice until an adult comes.



Absolutely do NOT teach her to stay put. A stupid number of children die because they hid under the bed, in a wardrobe etc. and the firefighters couldn't find them.

Answer 6

go to a designated spot if there isnt a fire blocking the door. This way everyone is getting out as soon as possible.