Complex Trauma
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Early Childhood Trauma
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Earthquakes
Epidemics
Fires
Residential Fires
Wildfires
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Tsunamis
Neglect
Physical Abuse
Refugee and War Zone Trauma
School Violence & Crises
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Traumatic Grief
 
Residential Fires
Readiness: What to Do Before There is a Fire

Families can do the following to be prepared for the event of a fire:
  • Make sure your children know emergency phone numbers. Write phone numbers on the Family Preparedness Wallet Card (PDF) and make sure each family member carries a card. [Also available in Armenian, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.]
  • Teach children evacuation skills to use in the event of a fire. See steps recommended for evacuation in Response: During and Immediately After a Fire. Try to identify two ways to escape from every room.
  • Make a Family Preparedness Plan (PDF) that includes a safe meeting place away from the building or home. The meeting place could be a tree across the street or a neighbor's house. Make sure that every person understands where to gather in case of an emergency. [The Plan is also available in Armenian, Korean, Russian Spanish , and Vietnamese.]
  • Practice the Family Preparedness Plan so that children and adolescents know exactly what to do in the event of a fire.
  • Teach children how to stop, drop, and roll in case their clothing catches on fire. Children who know their family evacuation plan and have practiced how to "stop, drop, and roll" may recover more easily after a fire.
  • Install fire alarms in every bedroom and check frequently to make sure the batteries are working.
  • Have one or more fire extinguishers in working order. Your local fire department can train you in the appropriate use.
  • During the winter holidays, be sure to:
    • Keep the Christmas tree stand full of water, checking it each day.
    • Put up your tree away from fireplaces, all heat sources, doorways, and other exits.
    • Check to make sure your decorations, including artificial trees, are fire-retardant and noncombustible.
    • Keep holiday candles away from material that can burn.
    • Have your chimney and flues inspected and cleaned before each winter.
    • Burn wood only (not pine boughs) in the fireplace. Do not burn paper, gift wrap, or other packaging materials. Always use a fireplace screen.
    • Avoid using the fireplace if you hang stockings on your mantelpiece.