This morning Greg Bailey Topeka Fire Chief visited the library. He read stories to the kids and he asked us all some questions. To the parents, have you ever been in a fire drill at work?… lots of hands went up. To the kids, have you ever been in a fire drill at school?…Lots of hands went up. To all he asked have you ever had a fire drill at home 2 hands went up.

Greg said after all the years he’s been doing this the numbers haven’t changed much.

Have you had a fire drill at home? If not, why not? Here is a link to the National Fire Protection Assoc.  They have steps to help you put together a plan and here is what they say:

Your ability to get out depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.   In 2011, there were an estimated 370,000 reported home structure fires and 2,520 associated civilian deaths in the United States.

Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds. Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes.  Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm.

Here is a fun worksheet to do together as a family from Sparky the fire dog – Escape Plan Worksheet