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Tuesday, October 13, 2015

October is Fire Prevention Awareness



October is officially Fire Prevention Awareness. Although Fire Prevention is technically October 4-10, 2015, we believe it should be something you and your family practice year round. As your insurance agent and coming from a family of volunteer fire fighters, this is an issue that is very important to us! Unfortunately, we've seen clients, friends, and family all suffer from home fires, and we want to share some things you can do to prevent a disaster.

Beyond basic fire prevention, like checking electrical cords and not leaving a pot unattended on the stove, there are several important things to do with your children or grandchildren to make sure they're safe 

First, create a PLAN. When children know what to expect, they can remain calm, even during an emergency. Help your child know exactly what to do if a fire occurs.

Stress the importance of getting out of the house and to your family meeting spot.  Choose an area a safe distance from the house where children should go if making a fire escape. It could be a street light, mailbox, or neighbor's tree.
If you have pets, tell your kids that your pets will find their own way out safely and that they should never go back to rescue the pet on their own.

As a family, go through each room of the house and discuss TWO different ways to get out if a fire occurs. Let children practice opening a latch and unlocking doors too. Remember smoke rises, so teach them how to stay low and exit safely. And show them how to always test the door handle before opening. 

Now host a fire drill! Make the practice drills fun and informative. Create sample scenarios and build up your kid's confidence. They'll be better prepared for a fire and you will too! Here is a great tool with games for kids with Sparky the Dog on Fire Prevention. 

When it comes to any sort of emergency situation, people are what matter most. Take precautions to protect your loved ones and let your professional insurance agents take care of protecting your home and belongings! Call us for a free quote on your Homeowner's Insurance today! 888-565-2212 or visit us online for a homeowners quote. At the Bryan Insurance Agency we are the top agency in New Windsor and Long Island for home insurance.