Tell your kids to GET OUT

It cuts back to basics. It's the simple truth... nothing... NOT A THING matters as long as your family is safe.

There was a house fire in our community last night. Parents and four children made it out alive (and unharmed)  in the middle of the night. The house burnt to the ground.  They made it out because they knew what to do and acted quickly. Possessions were irrelevant;  people are everything.

Within hours of the tragedy, the community has come together to provide essential items, and is overflowing with support. They will be fine. Their community and school will ensure that.

But what I personally want everyone to do with their own family is to reinforce the "GET OUT" message when it comes to fire. Five-year-olds,  and even younger understand that fire is dangerous and life threatening and should be avoided.  Tell them, and show them, how to get out of their own bedrooms in case of fire. Show them it's ok to yell and scream when there is a fire and to NEVER EVER, under any circumstances hide when there is a fire. GET OUT is the only acceptable answer.

Older kids have questions and more sophisticated concerns. With them, listen and explore their fears and provide them with the most accurate, truthful, appropriate answers. My oldest child wanted to know exactly where we would go, and what we would do for clothes and food. I went over a detailed plan and explained how even if we had no clothes, Grandma would go out and get something immediately. (So we wouldn't have to go to a store in our pajamas.)  My child didn't ask once about toys or keepsakes. Even children know instinctively what their basic needs are.

(I'll blog about fire safety, clutter and fire hazards another day.)

Schools and local fire departments go over fire safety education for our children. But it is critical you personalize it and map it out, and walk through it in your own home. Every home and layout is different. Identify all possible escape routes.  Practice! Blow a whistle, or test your smoke alarm. Then GET OUT. Where is your meeting place? Who is the closest neighbor you can go to for help?  You know the drill. Make sure your kids know it too!