Monmouth Fire Chief Casey Rexroat is wanting to remind residents to put a plan in place for your family in case of a fire. He says it is important to have a plan when there are children in your home. Children may become very scared and need clear direction and help getting out of the house. They may not know how to escape or what to do unless an adult shows them.
“Especially if you have little ones in the house, that they know that if the smoke alarm is going off, that they know what they are supposed to do and where they are supposed to go. Make sure that they know not to hide from a firefighter or hide from smoke. If you can’t get out of your room, know a second way out, have a window and let them know how to open that window if they are old enough and big enough to know how to get the window open and signal for help. It is so important for families to have that exit plan in place.”
Ready.gov says to have a plan for young children under six who cannot get outside by themselves. In your plan, talk about who will help each child get out safely. Children should know what to do when they hear a smoke alarm and there is no adult around. Help them practice going to the outside meeting place. Teach children to NEVER go back inside a burning building. Once they are out, stay out!
Teach your child to get low and crawl on the ground, where the air is less smoky.
Show a child how to use the back of their hand to check doors for heat before opening and to use a different way out if the door is hot.
If your child needs to use an escape ladder, show them where you keep it and practice how to use it.
Fires can start anywhere in the home and at any time, so run through the plan at different times of the day or night and practice different ways out.
Source: www.ready.gov and live interview with Chief Rexroat 2-6-25
