Kids

Welcome to West Metro Fire Rescue!  Here you'll find a number of fun ways to learn about fire and injury prevention. We hope you enjoy the games and information and look forward to hearing your comments and ideas on how to make the site better. 

Like millions of other kids who go to school every day, you've probably done each of these things at least once: 

• eaten a soggy sandwich at lunch time
• written in your math workbook
• taken a drink from the water fountain
• gone outside for a fire drill

Fire drills are a big part of being safe in school: they prepare us for what we need to do in case of a fire.

But what if there was a fire where you live? Would you know what to do if there was a fire in your home? Talking about fires is scary - no one likes to think about people getting hurt or their things getting burned. But you can feel less worried if you are prepared.

Know Your Way Out Ahead of Time
Every family should have an escape plan if there is ever a fire - to safely get everyone outside as soon as possible. The smoke from a fire can make it hard to see where things are, so it's very important to learn and remember the different ways out of your home. Planning ahead saves lives if your home ever catches on fire.

This means checking out every room, including your own. Many fires occur in homes during the night (when it's hard to see, or think of a quick plan - like if you were sleeping and still feel groggy).

Every kid must know the quickest, safest way to leave his room. Together, your family should go from room to room in your home and know the best escape routes from each one. If you live in a big apartment building, know the quickest way to the nearest stairwell marked as a "Fire Exit." The best plan is to have two escape routes from each room, in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke. For many rooms, this second escape route will be through a window.

Know where the doors and windows are in each room in your home, and pay attention to the outdoor escape routes, like a porch roof, a balcony, or even a big tree. Your parent should make sure that windows are easy to open, and screens easy to remove. Collapsible rescue ladders (that are approved as safety ladders) can be used to escape from upstairs windows or upper balconies. Know where all emergency equipment, such as rescue ladders, are kept in your home - they should be stored in a place where kids can quickly and easily get to them if there is a fire. Many apartment buildings have fire escape routes right outside the windows.

If there is ever a fire in your home, leave your home immediately, using the escape routes that your family has planned out together. Do not stop for a pet or favorite toy. Do not stop to call 911 - you can always do this at a neighbor's house after you get out.

If you are unable to leave because of fire or smoke blocking an escape route, never hide under the bed or in a closet - you have to get out or get rescued as quickly as possible. Hiding will make it very hard for a rescuer, such as a firefighter, to help you. Try using the second escape route. If that is not possible, stand in front of an open window and wait for help.

Just like you do at school, your family should practice fire drills at home every few months and practice getting out fast. It is important for your family to have a set place where everyone will meet when they get out, such as the mailbox at the end of the driveway or a fence. This way your family will know that everyone got out safely.

A good rule of thumb during a home fire drill is to see if your family can safely get out the house using the escape routes and meet outside at the same place within 3 minutes.