Bed roll, checking doors, trapped

The bed roll
The difference between the temperature at bed level and that if a child sits up, can be as much as a few hundred
degrees in a fire. Because of this, children should learn how to roll out of their bed in the event of a fire.

Have children practice this a couple times on their own bed to get used to it. If possible, set off your fire alarm while doing it, so that they learn to associate that sound with rolling out of their bed.

Checking Doors

A flash over occurs when a fire is suddenly supplied with fresh oxygen. It creates a explosion like force that will consume a room. When a fire is burning in a room with a door closed, there may be little or no smoke actually coming out of the bottom of the door. After all, smoke rises. That door is creating a natural barrier to the other side. But when that door is opened, it will create an explosive force that will instantly ignite the room.

Teach children how to test a door. Tell them to press the back of their hand against the door. If it feels hot to the touch, do not open it. If it feels cool or just a little bit warm, crack open the door slightly and peek outside. If everything is clear, proceed and close the door behind you. It’s important to close the door to slow the progress of the fire. Tell them to do this on every closed door they encounter.

·	Teach children to always open doors slowly, putting their shoulder against the door. If they see the fire right outside or lots of smoke suddenly comes in, shut the door immediately and choose another way.

·	Have your children test a door in your house under normal circumstances. Let them get a good idea for how it feels, so that they will not be unsure in a fire. Have them practice the technique for slowly opening it.

If trapped

If a child’s way out is blocked, then they should go to a secondary route. If there are no good secondary routes, they should...

·	Get to a room with a window outside, and a door. If they can get to a room on the main floor, do it. Close the door, and go to the window.

·	If not, return to their room, and close the door to their bedroom, to create a natural barrier for the fire to buy more time.

·	Open the window to the room they are in. If they are on the first level or basement, and can climb out the window safely, do so.

·	If they are not on the first level, they should open their window enough so that they can breathe and yell. They should stay at the window as long as they can and yell for help. Wave a towel or piece of clothing to let firefighters know where you are.

·	You can teach older children to make an escape using a fire ladder if it is available.

·	Teach children how to open windows in your house, and make sure they can do it. Be sure to emphasize they are only to do this in a fire, and let them know they are never to mess with the windows unless it is an emergency.