Fire Safety Tips On Chuggington Fire Patrol Rescue Day

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my post. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

True story: Last night, I almost set the house on fire. Not even kidding. I was heating some oil so I could make some homemade sweet potato fries, and I got distracted by a child who insisted that trying to kill his sister was a good idea. After breaking up the brawl, I completely forgot that I had oil heating up on the stovetop. Needless to say, my house ended up full of smoke, and the alarms all went off. We had to open windows, turn on all the fans, and take the kids outside until the smoky haze had dissipated some. While there was no actual fire to contend with, this was still a scary experience. And a total Mommy Fail, of course. 

This happened at exactly the right time, though. Today, March 31, is Chuggington Fire Patrol Rescue Day! That's right! The folks at Chuggington take fire safety very seriously, and want to pass along some great tips on how to keep your family and possessions safe in the event of a fire. 

In honor of “Chuggington Fire Patrol Rescue Day,” and to help keep your family and young trainees safe all year-round, here are some important tips from Firechugger Asher and the National Fire Protection Association:

·         Asher says, “Plan ahead!”
Create a home escape plan so every member of your family knows what to do and where to go if there’s a fire. Designate a meeting spot, such as a tree or mailbox, that’s a safe distance from the home. And practice your home fire drill both at night and during the day.

·         Asher says, “Stop a fire before it starts!”
Keep matches and lighters out of sight and out of reach from children. Store them up high, preferably in a locked cabinet or drawer. It’s also important to teach kids that lighters and matches are tools for adults only and that they should tell a grown-up if they see these items lying around.

·         Asher says, “Cool it in the kitchen!”
Always keep an eye on the stove while you’re cooking, and use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on. Create a “kid-free zone” around the stove as well as areas where hot food and drinks are prepared. And make sure to keep anything that can catch fire, including oven mitts and towels, away from hot appliances!

·         Asher says, “Sound the alarm! “
Smoke detectors are a key part of a home fire escape plan. Make sure to install smoke detectors on every floor of the home, especially inside and outside bedrooms. Don’t forget to test all smoke alarms at least once a month!

·         Asher says, “Stay low and stay out! “
If, during a fire, you have to escape through smoke, get low, go under the smoke and close the doors behind you as you leave each room. It’s crucial to remind children that, once outside, they should never go back inside for anything, including pets or toys. It’s best to wait to call the fire department until you get outside and are a safe distance away from the fire.

Asher says, “Follow these blazin’ safety tips and you’ll be in control and ready to roll if there’s ever a fire.”

For more safety tips, visit: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/safety-tip-sheets

Connect With Chuggington and Celebrate Fire Patrol Rescue Day :
You can purchase this Limited Edition Chuggington Fire Patrol Rescue DVD on Amazon and wherever your favorite Chuggington DVD's are sold. 

You can also check out more locomotive fun on the Chuggington website. Here you'll find fun activities, printables, and more! 

How Do YOU Prepare Your Family for Fire? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks!