| Fire safety is one of the most important things you | | | | you stress to teenagers that they should always |
| can teach your children. Although most children will | | | | unplug blow-dryers and curling irons when they are not |
| learn the basics of fire safety (i.e. to "stop, drop, and | | | | using them. If you establish these habits early, |
| roll") in elementary school, there is no replacement for | | | | unplugging appliances will soon be a natural step for |
| parental guidance on this matter. Children look up to | | | | your children, and one that will improve your home |
| their parents more than anyone else, and anything they | | | | security considerably. If not, your children may find it |
| learn from their parents about fire safety and home | | | | hard to remember to do this-make sure you help them |
| security will be taken far more seriously and etched in | | | | form these habits early to avoid unnecessary hazards. |
| greater detail in their memories that what they learn in | | | | If you have an older teen who likes to cook, remind |
| the classroom. | | | | them that they should never leave an open flame |
| You should have smoke alarms installed on each floor | | | | unattended on the stovetop. Any matches they use |
| of your home; if you can have one in each bedroom, | | | | should be thoroughly soaked in water before being |
| this is even better. When you test the alarm batteries, | | | | thrown away. It is also good idea to have a fire |
| which you should do at least once a month, review | | | | extinguisher in your home; many parents choose to |
| with your children what they should do in the event | | | | place one in the kitchen so that they can deal with any |
| that they hear the alarm sound. You should have a fire | | | | cooking mishaps that may arise. You may choose to |
| escape plan for each room of your house and make | | | | explain to your older children how to use the fire |
| sure that your children are familiar with it; you may | | | | extinguisher as well, but many parents prefer to simply |
| choose to have a family "fire drill." If you have a home | | | | tell their children to get out of the house as fast as |
| alarm system (which is recommended), it may include | | | | possible in the event of a fire, not wanting them to |
| heat detectors in addition to smoke alarms; these | | | | take any risks attempting to put the fire out. |
| provide an extra warning signal for your family if there | | | | Fire safety is one of the most important lessons you |
| is a fire in your home. Call your security company to | | | | can teach your children. Installing a reliable home |
| find out if this is a possibility for your house. | | | | security system with fire alarms, teaching your children |
| Cover electrical outlets with tamper-resistant covers, | | | | good preventative habits, and using common sense to |
| and explain to your children the dangers of placing | | | | eliminate fire hazards in and around your home are |
| objects, including fingers, in electrical sockets. Teach | | | | some of the most important steps you can take to |
| children to unplug lamps, toasters, and other electrical | | | | protect your family. |
| appliances when they are not in use, and make sure | | | | |