Parents Corner


Dear Parent or Guardian,
As a parent, you are concerned with your child's safety. Your family's safety at home is as equally important. The Fire Danger Ranger program and exercises on this web-site are developed to help you and your child learn about fire and carbon monoxide safety - together as a team. Through the completion of these exercises, we hope that your child will help lead the way as your family takes the crucial steps towards being prepared in the event of a fire or carbon-monoxide emergency.

Your Should Know….
Smoke Alarms:
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by 50%. This is important because a fire doubles its intensity every 30 seconds, it only takes five to ten minutes for a two-story home to become totally engulfed. The sooner you know the fire is there, the faster you can start moving your family to safety.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms:
Perhaps the most overlooked home hazard is carbon monoxide (CO), a colourless, odourless gas produced by certain household appliances. The number one cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States, carbon monoxide can harm or kill a person in less than 15 minutes. Because it is a silent hazard whose symptoms mimic those of the flu, many people don't know they've been affected until it is too late. A CO alarm sounds when too much carbon monoxide is present, giving you time to get your family out of the house safely.

The Escape Plan
An escape plan can help you get to safety should a fire occur. Plan an escape route with your family. Practice the escape plan at least twice a year, making sure that everyone is involved - from kids to grandparents. Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. If children or others do not readily awaken to the sound of the smoke alarm, or if there are infants or family member with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the fire drill and in the event of an emergency. It is recommended that you hold a fire drill while family members are sleeping in order to determine their response to the sound of the smoke alarm while sleeping and to determine whether they may need assistance in the event of an emergency. With these facts at hand, it is easy to see that having the equipment and making sure it works by testing it every month will allow you to be prepared, helping protect what you value most - your family. For more information on home safety equipment, visit the First Alert brand of products at www.first-alert.com.au