It's not something we like to think about but if an unexpected fire occurs in your home, would you and your children know what to do?
Creating a fire safety plan is one of the most important things to go through with your family and your ability to get out alive all comes down to warnings and advance planning.
Check smoke alarms.
Firstly smoke alarms are very important for early warning signs, it buys you time to allow you and your family to get out safely.
Make sure you have a smoke alarm on every floor of your home, at the highest point and close to the centre of the ceiling and make sure it tested regularly - at least once a week.
Find two ways out.
Walk around your home and identify two escape routes out of every room in case one exit is blocked or dangerous to use. Show your children where the exits are and how they will get out safely and explain how a closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.
Get low and go.
If there is smoke, you will need to get down on the ground where the air is fresher. Get each member of your family practising on their knees maneuvering and moving to each of the exits.
Make a backup plan.
In the event you are cut off by a fire, remain calm, close the door and use towels and any pieces of clothing to block any gaps underneath the doorway. Try to make your way to a window and try to attract the attention of others.
Stop, drop and roll.
Make sure all members of your household are aware of the stop, drop and roll technique if an item of their clothing catches fire.
Practice regularly.
It is important to practice your fire escape plan and allow children to master it. Do it at least twice a year and try to make it as realistic as possible.
During these drills, determine whether children or others can awaken to the sound of the smoke alarm - if not, assign another member of the family to wake them.
Clear escape routes.
Remember to close all doors at night before you go to bed and make sure all exits are free from obstruction at all times.
If you lock your doors at night make sure they are not high up on a wall out of reach, the same applies for your windows. Keys should be immediately available.
Choose a safe meeting place.
Pick a point outside the home that is a safe distance away from your house where everyone can meet after they've escaped and make sure everyone knows that once you're out, stay out.
If someone is missing, inform the fire brigade - they have the equipment and skills to perform rescues.
Call 999.
Have everyone memorise the emergency services phone number and make sure younger children know how to use a phone in the event of an emergency.
Show them how they can call 999 on mobile phones without needing to use finger recognition or passcodes.
And finally, home fire safety drills can be quite scary for young children, reassure them that it is just a precaution and remind them to never hide from firefighters in the event of an emergency.
