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Articles How To Teach Fire Safety To Special Needs Kids
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How To Teach Fire Safety To Special Needs Kids

Principal Author / Publisher:Safetyhow Admin
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All children, regardless of their needs, should be well-versed in the subject of fire safety. According to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services in Maryland, nearly 13 percent of all children in the U.S. require special needs, which make them more susceptible to accidental injury. As the parent of a special-needs child -- or any child, for that matter -- your job is to ensure your child’s safety at all times, and that requires repeatedly discussing the importance of fire safety.

Instructions

1.Use whatever teaching method your child identifies with the most, advises the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services of Maryland. For example, if your special-needs child is autistic, try repetition through verbal or physical cues. Only you know what your child comprehends the most; the purpose is to ensure that you use that teaching method.

2.Revisit the fire-escape plan in your home on a regular basis so that your child is sure to understand what is expected of him in the instance that your home catches fire, advises the Toledo Children’s Hospital. You should establish both an escape route and a back-up escape route. Since your child has special needs, your escape route and back-up plan should account for any medical equipment that your child may have need of. For example, make sure you have a bag of his medication and medical supplies within easy access of your escape route and make sure at least two people in your family know how to use his equipment so that they can safely get him out of the house, if necessary.

3.Teach your child to locate the phone and to dial 911, advises the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service. Be mindful that your child should call 911 once she is out of the house, and that she should find the nearest phone to call for help. She will need to know your address and your names, as well.

4.Practice helping your special-needs child to stop, drop and roll to extinguish flames if he is on fire, advises the Toledo Children’s Hospital. Make it a game if you need to. Your goal is to make sure he understands that if he is on fire, this is what he needs to do. Additionally, if your child is in a wheelchair, teach him how to put the chair in the locked position, slide out and roll. You should also teach your other children and other adults in your home how to assist your special-needs child in the event that he catches on fire.

5.Stress the importance of staying as low as possible in the event of a fire, advises the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service. If your child is unable to do this, teach all of the other children and adults in the house that should a fire occur, your special-needs child is to get onto a blanket -- with assistance, if need be -- and remain on the floor. The person with your special-needs child should stay as low as possible and use the blanket to drag your child to safety.

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