Have a designated meeting place outside the house for your family, so you can make sure everyone got out safely. If your house needs an escape ladde r, be sure to get one and leave it near a window where it's easily available. As soon as your child is old enough, she should learn how to use the ladder in an emergency. T each kids to crawl underneath the smoke. T ell your children they should never hide under their beds or in closets if there's a fire in the house.
Some children are afraid of firefighters.
Take your child to your local fire station so they get familiar with firefighters and their uniforms. Remind your child he should never run away or try to hide if firefighters come in the house. T ell your child she should never re-enter a burning home. Don't all ow children to play near wood stoves, radiant heaters or other heating sources. The ideas and suggestions in this book are not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of your child's doctor, nor are they intended to help you make a diagnosis about your child's health.