This morning about 10:00 a.m., all the fire alarms in my home started to go off. My boys know the routine. We all head out the nearest exit of our home.
Our smoke alarms were blaring for two hours. We knew that there was not a fire. But, obeyed, as our standard rule to stay outside till the alarms are off.
With my hubby beginning gone, I had to wait till the maintenance staff arrived to fixed the problem. It being Saturday, the wait was quite long.
Having survived a fire and being grateful to the smoke alarms that notified us that the building was on fire I wondered about the lessons that were taught this morning.
We live on the end row of town homes.
No one called the fire department!
No one came out of their homes to see what was wrong!
Are we being programmed to ignore the very alarms that are meant to save our lives?
One of my neighbors said her daughters usually sleep through the fire alarms.
Another neighbor said she heard the alarm, and wondered what it was.
No one was moved to action by the sound of these alarms and I began to wondered what if, had there been a fire?
I was proud of my boys. They stayed out till I got things sorted and fix. I am glad that our drills have paid off. They will not ignore the alarms in life.
No matter your living situation a fire or emergency preparedness plan is essential before an actual emergency.
Here are some tips for creating and training your children for an emergency:
Have practice drills, they are not just for schools.
Discuss all the possible exits from your home.
Decide on a meeting place outside of your home.
Have a neighbor to back up your teens when you are not at home and an alarm goes off
Always leave your home at the first sound of the alarm even when you know its a false alarm,
An adult parent, maintenance personnel or the fire department should give the all clear before your children are allowed back inside the home.
Never stop to look for anything: your cell phone, wallet, etc
In the event of fire or smoke in your home teach:
What to do if there is smoke or fire out side your door or coming into your room
If you have a second floor, the proper technique for getting out safely
For more information about emergency preparedness please visit www.ready.gov they cover all forms of being prepared with lots of information on:
Do you agree? Are we learning to ignore the alarms in life? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.
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