October is Fire Safety month!

October is fire safety month. You may not be aware, but the Ministry of Education expects every home educating family to practice fire drills!  This is a great way for your kids to learn how to safely exit any building you regularly visit so they are prepared (and hopefully not panicking) in the event a fire alarm goes off, or there is ever an actual fire.

I would like to challenge you to put together a plan of how to leave your home quickly and safely, with alternate routes plans in the event your main exit is blocked.  Explain the procedure and the reasons for every action in your plan (why we don't pack a bag or check on pets, why we crawl on the floor and check doors for heat, etc).  Then practice your plan!

Also, take the opportunity this month to talk about how to evacuate the other buildings you visit this month so that your kids develop an understanding of the principles that guide evacuations, including always establishing a meeting place in case you are separated.

You know your kids best, so be sensitive to them so that they feel equipped, not afraid.  Reading library books, visiting the local fire department, watching fire safety videos and visiting different websites may also be helpful.  We will continue to address safety concepts over the month.

Some resources you may use:

Safe Kids - Fire (also other safety lessons and tips on this site)
Activity pages and Jeopardy game
Online Games
Fire Facts for Parents and Educators
Planning an escape route video for Elementary Kids (it does refer to 911)
Song with evacuation steps