Do you have a fire plan.

[CornishTiger]

Thinking about the absolutely awful news that has happened over the last few days it’s lead me to think about what we’d do in a fire.

We had discussed it when children were younger so we knew which of us would go to which bedroom and had a plan in mind.

We’ve moved since. Children have got older. We have just discussed it. Will make sure the children know what to do in event of a fire. Shout Fire rather than help. Keep low to ground etc.

Our smoke alarms actually sounded a couple of days ago and none of them had moved from rooms. Headphones on too! Activated I think by steam from bathroom.

It’s a scary thought but one we do need to consider. And check your smoke alarms. And any carbon monoxide detectors.

I used to do fire drills with the DC when they were little. Then when we had a real cooking fire one evening, DS did exactly as we'd practiced, got to the front door but went back for sleeping DD. I was busy in the kitchen dealing with the fire. It was all fine in the end but definitely gave us all a scare.

Yes, dd knows that of she us in her room and she cam, she isnto onto the spare room next tonhwrs and go out the window onto the bathroom roof below and then out the garden. Scream fire, bang on neighbour's doors and do not go back for anything or anyone.

The spare room has 2 fire escape windows and mine has 1. The job for this year is tonnage and have hers replaced with one

Yes I do, as a foster carer it is part of my safer fostering policy.

Please would you share the requirements you have been set and any guidelines?

How can anyone know what the best plan for their own house should be?

Yes, I've always had one, plus smoke alarms/carbon monoxide alarms/fire extinguishers and blankets.
Our cottage is fortunately quite low to the ground, even from the top floor rooms, and we also have two staircases at opposite sides of the property so I've been able to make a decent plan for all bedrooms.
The kids have known for years how to deal with different types of fire.
Absolutely devastating to think of the poor family in Gloucestershire. Heartbreaking.

I believe that everyone should have fire extinguisher at home andknow how to use it.
We have. Would it stop massive fire? No. But it can help with small ones before they get worse and help clear path out.

I remember my mum talking to me about this as a kid. DC is 3.5 - can anyone suggest how best to approach with them? We have a split level house and shes half a floor above us. Smoke alarms in every room (literally) all centrally connected to burglar alarm. I'm pretty safety conscious but worry how we would get to her in an emergency.

I have one myself but I hadnt ever thought of practising with the kids or telling them what to do (although they are still pretty young). We are in a tall semi-detached house and if the stairs were blocked the only way out would be through the top windows which are really high so I have emergency fire escape ladders that I bought under my bed so we can get out. I have gone over in my head how I would get my 2 and 4 year old down this ladder if there was ever a fire. When I was a teen we had a seriously bad fire in our home, we were all downstairs together watching TV at the time and the fire was upstairs so we got out okay but the house was all but destroyed as it took hold so quickly. It's made me really conscious of fire safety and even when I go to public venues I always make a mental note of the fire exit and plan my escape route.

Such an awful few days.

The fire srvice will come out and help formulate a fire action plan.
Just call your local station and ask for a home fire safety visit.

We used to take the fire engine and the little ones loved it.

Thoughts to everyone involved in the awful tragedies.

If they can get to you then they do that, if they can’t then they close the room door and should lie on the floor and not hide anywhere.
As they get older they should learn to open the window and in a real fire scream ‘Fire!!’

I heard the news today and I was so saddened by it. The poor poor man.

Just posting to add

I dont leave things charging overnight
I dont buy cheap chargers / extension cables etc I make sure they are all tickety boo. I saw on a tv show once they opened up a pound shop charger vs an original and half of the bits inside the plug were missing or lose. I dont know of that is still the case or if they have cracked down on it but I dont take any chances

I dont keep fabrics near things that get hot.

Double check and triple check candles are out

This post is a good idea though I hadnt thought of doing a fire plan for my house. I know I need a smoke alarm downstairs (just have a battery one upstairs) it is getting moved to the top of my to do list..

I also got fire escape windows fitted in all bedrooms upstairs but I didn't realise I've not shown the kids how to use it. Again im going to do that.

Honestly my heart aches for the family, especially the husband, so tragic.

Yes we do, two out of the three bedrooms on the first floor have exits to outside surfaces (bay window/single storey extension) so priority would be our boy’s room that does not. In the event we could not access the room there is a ladder stored close by outside that would be used. You have reminded me we need to talk more about this to the kids though.

And in English?

Really helpful, thank you. She's a smart cookie so I'm reasonably confident if I casually talk to her about this over the coming days and weeks, she'll understand (and hopefully retain the information). Her windows are always kept locked with the key out of her reach as they open out to a flat roof. Need to have a think about how to balance being able to escape and everyday safety. Probably also need to think about a window breaker and ladder being easily accessible so we could get in quick from the outside (but not so accessible we get burgled using our own ladders like our poor neighbours...)

Get yourself out.
Teach everybody to get themselves out.
Explain to children that a broken leg from jumping out of a window heals in a matter of weeks.
Cuts from climbing through a broken window heal faster than smoke inhalation or burns.

Get into the habit of switching everything off every night

and ALWAYS unplug Christmas lights because they are a sky high risk

Your local Fire Service can do home visits & check/ install smoke alarms etc & can advise on this. They can then replace faulty or expired alarms too. I know older or vulnerable people are considered as more of a priority for this service but is def worth asking. Think it’s called a FireSafe visit & they can advise on an escape route & other family members on what to do in the event of. Eg something I’d completely forgotten about was a closing internal doors all the time & esp when going to bed - as a standard one closed can hold back a fire for up to 20mins & with them being able to reach you in 10mins - this minimises the chance of it spreading. Was well worth the visit IME.

I have a metal ladder in the children’s bedroom along with a fire extinguisher and regularly check alarms.
I think I will ask the local fire service to do a fire safety visit that’s a brilliant idea

Its a Fire safety visit in scotland.
All you need to do is call your local station.
In Scotland linked alarms are compulsory now at sale of house.
The fire service can fit stand alone alarms in the interim and offer so much advice!

We would include the kids to help them understand and not be scared of us or hide if we attend .

I think people underestimate how fast fire and smoke spread and debilitate. A ladder under your kids bed isn’t going to help if you can’t get to them or it and you’re not going to be able to start whipping ladders out and smashing windows in thick smoke. Get out as fast as possible, if possible and stay low are about all you’d likely be able to manage.

So very sad what happened.

I was talking to DH about it today. DD did a fire safety day at school recently which said to get out straight away and if you can't to put a towel or material around the gap in the door,.open a window and stay near it low to breathe. I'm thinking about buying some rope ladders for the bedrooms in case any of us can't get out via the stairs.

My Cubs had a visit from the Fire Brigade and some of the things they were told.

If you can't get out, shut the door and sit in the middle of the room. (You are then easy to find, apparently the instinct is to hide)

Don't look for pets... dogs and cats survival instinct means they will get themselves out. The fire fighters themselves will retrieve caged animals after humans are accounted for.

Test your fire alarms regularly (and CM if you have gas ).

Teach them how to ring 999. (Including your address and post code)

My dad was a fireman, he always made sure every door was closed in the house last thing at night because that gives you critical extra time in a fire. If you’re worried about not hearing your child at night have a monitor instead of leaving bedroom doors open.

💯 what we always advise! Its amazing how much time that buys!

Make sure you can unlock front and back doors. I have a hook with a spare key always ready next to each door. You don't want to be searching for your house keys in an emergency.