There is a Malay saying that goes: Malang tidak berbau. It loosely translates as “you can never tell when bad things may happen”. While we know that nothing is more important to you than your family’s safety, as busy parents, important safety measures may have escaped your thoughts and attention. For one, have you given due thought about your family’s safety in case of a fire? Read on…
The thought of a fire breaking out in our home may be unpleasant to dwell on, but it does not mean that it cannot take place. We often hear of fires in the news and probably assume that some carelessness was involved, and in most cases, it is true. The scary thing is, fires that destroy homes and lives are usually unintentional and they can take place without warning.
Below are some simple steps you can do today that will drastically improve the safety of your home, and assure that your family reacts correctly in the event of a fire.
Prioritise fire safety
(and your children will follow suit)
Working as a unit might be the only way your family will survive and escape unharmed in the event that a fire breaks out in your home. Preparing and practicing a family escape plan may sound unnecessary, but it will assure that all members of your family know what to do in case of an emergency.
Draft out your family escape plan
It should be straightforward, simple, and easy to understand. Include two exit routes from every room, and a safe meeting place outside your home (like under a tree, the sidewalk across the road, or even at a neighbour’s home. neighbor’s home) for your family will gather once outside the home.
Fire drills
It’s easy to forget what to do when in a panicky state – that’s why regular practice runs on your fire escape plan is important. It helps to reinforce their confidence in what needs to be done if a fire breaks out, and it won’t seem so alien to them. Practice runs are also important to check if your kids understand what has to be done in the event of a fire at home.
Install smoke detectors
Fire safety is not a once-a-year exercise. It must be part of your daily focus. Just as important as knowing what to do in the event of a fire, it is just as important to take steps to assure a fire never starts, and if a fire does start, that your family will be alerted as quickly as possible. One way to do that is by installing smoke detectors, also known as fire alarms in your home. Did you know that most fire-related deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms, or with non-functioning alarms?
By placing smoke detectors in your home, you can increase the chances that all of your family gets out safely by 40-50%! However, here are a few pointers to getting it right.
- Place one in every room! Smoke detectors must be located throughout your home, and most importantly, in every bedroom.
- Test them once a month. Make sure the batteries are good and that the smoke detector itself is in proper working condition.
- Replace them if needed. If your smoke detectors are older, or if you’re not sure they are in proper working condition, think about changing them. Improvements to newer smoke detectors could provide a better level of protection to you and your family. You can find reliable, inexpensive smoke detectors at www.lazada.com.my
- Change those batteries! Remember that a smoke detector that is in good working order saves lives. If you can’t remember the last time you changed the batteries, don’t take any chances – Change them now!
- Know that sound! Make sure that all family members know and recognize the sound your smoke detectors make. An easy way to accomplish this is to make sure that you gather your family together each time you test your smoke detectors. The quicker you recognize that sound, the quicker you can react if ever there’s a fire.
Take fire prevention seriously
Too many items plugged into one outlet, a shirt thrown over a lamp, a worn electrical cord; these are just a few examples of hazards within the home. If you were not very aware of these before, start to take a look around your house how, and see to all of these and other careless habits that may pose a fire risk to your home.
When it comes to keeping kids safe, adults play an important role. However, it is equally important to teach children about the potential risks and prevention of serious injuries within and outside their homes.
Fire safety in the kitchen
It makes sense to pay extra attention to the kitchen when it comes to fire safety for that’s where we use to fire the most – for cooking! Ensure that all your electrical appliances are in good working order to prevent any fires due to overheating or malfunctioning. Make sure too that young children never cook without proper supervision. Keep cooking surfaces clean to avoid grease fires.
Install a fire extinguisher
Keep a fire extinguisher in a handy location. The best location is typically just inside a door or entrance, out of the reach of children. Learn how to use it and teach your family how to use it too. It’ll be too late to learn once a fire has begun!
Avoid locating an extinguisher right next to where a fire could develop, for that would make it difficult to reach when a fire breaks out at that spot.
Keep in mind that in the event of a fire, a fire extinguisher may only be used to stop a small fire from getting out of control. You’ll still need to call the fire department! Know how to use it! It’s too late to learn once a fire has begun.
