Hi, Parents! The SAFE:365 program is designed to help your kids and you better understand the importance of family security and the many issues involving fire and life safety. There are a number of projects that you and your kids can engage in – and some of those can be found in the SAFE:365 website.

We encourage you to follow these 10 safety steps in your home.




 1.) Identify a safe meeting place outside of your home where all family members will go in the event of an emergency. Make certain everyone knows where it is.

 2.) Conduct home fire drills. Do this at night as well as during the day. Practice the drills at least once a year.                 

 3.) Have emergency numbers posted. The emergency list should include a relative or close family friend who is outside of the city that you can contact in the event of a major emergency like a brushfire or earthquake.

 4.) Check the batteries in your smoke detectors every month. Replace the batteries when the time changes (PDT and PST).

 5.) Keep it simple. Your kids will remember things if you focus on the key elements. If your kids are under the age of six, you’ll want to introduce simple things one at a time. 9-1-1 and the family meeting place are good concepts to start with.

 6.) Reinforce your discussions about fire safety whenever the topic arises. If there is a big fire reported on the news or in the neighborhood, use that as a teachable moment. Ask you kids if they have questions and be prepared to help them understand the dangers of fire, not to mention other dangers.

 7.) Do it. Don't just say it! Children learn by doing and by following your example. It can be a fun family exercise to create a family escape plan, practice the plan, and check safety equipment in your home.

 8.) Teach your kids how to get out of the house via two different routes. The front door is an obvious exit, but what if access to the front door is blocked? A second exit is essential in creating a family escape plan. Use a stopwatch and wait until everyone has gathered at your family's designated meeting place before you stop the timer. Work together to set a family record.

 9.) Repeat yourself. Repetition is the key to information retention.

 10.) Remind your kids to never hide if there is a fire – even if they are the ones who accidentally started it. Go outside to the safe meeting place.

PARENTS: You can learn more about fire and life safety at our safety website: http://www.mysafela.org