October is Fire Prevention month! The first Tuesday of October is National Night Out. Typically, first responders will go out to meet residents in the communities. It is such a good event idea especially for children. They can educate the public to learn safety tips in case of fire and to build a safer community is to know your neighbors and your surroundings.
On October 7, 2019, I had a small microwave fire with a potato on a clear glass plate. Fortunately, no interior damage occurred. Fortunately, I was exactly where I needed to be and acted quickly. Did I make all the right choices? Probably not.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the cause of most house fires are kitchen related. Just in my hometown alone, there was a pizza oven fire which resulted in a total home loss (2020), a paper foil wrapped burrito (2019) which resulted in the kitchen interior to be renovated.
What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?
At Balkum Academy, one of the assignments asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My son said, “Firefighter.” I asked, “Why?” He said, “So I can put out oven fires.”
Of course, I told him firefighters did more than put out oven fires. All he has ever seen was the potato incident and the time I had to call MCFR when I sliced my thumb with the Mandoline Slicer. I got bandaged up to be able to go to an Urgent Care for stitches. That wretched device was thrown out!
To give my son a more interactive experience I made a call to Fire Chief Jim Simmons and asked about making a visit.
Fire Station Tour
McLendon-Chisholm Fire Rescue gave my son a tour of the fire station, equipment and Fire Chief Simmons gave him a one on one talk about a home escape plan and a fire safety talk. Now his next assignment is to create a home escape plan and to do a fire drill.
[/vc_column_text]
Ideas for Homeschool Fire Drills, Lessons & Activities
We are fortunate that we are now all home together so this will be an entire family activity. Try your local fire station to schedule a tour of your own. Invite your first responders for National Night Out or have a Fire Safety Day. Create your home escape plan. Teach your child how to call 911, your address, phone number and your last name. Below is to get you inspired of what you can do for home fire drills and teaching your children some safety tips.
MAKE A HOME ESCAPE PLAN
Watch the video to get inspired for a homeschool lesson. We plan to frame our plan in our son’s room which will include the EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home) details along with once outside to call 911 at our neighbor’s house.
FIRE DRILLS
Followed by creating the home escape plan we are going to have our son act out the plan in case of when the smoke detector goes off what to do. Fire Chief Simmons recommended to do it at least twice a year one fire drill during the day and one at night.
SPARKY
Visit NFPA’s website to download game & apps, coloring sheets, cut out, puzzles, mad lib, activity worksheets.
