Fire Drills in the Early Childhood Setting

Do you remember your elementary school years when your school held fire drills? I still remember the ringing of the bell and the students glad to get out of class. I always wished for fire drills during exams but obviously -- they never came.

I have worked in daycare and I believe all centers should practices fire drills. In fact, I have met only a few educators where their centers actually have practice fire drills with their children. Many feel they may traumatize the children.

A fire drill is a great extension to have in your Fire Safety week. During that week you do a lot on the subject of fire safety and prevention. You might have a visit to a fire station, meet firefighters, have discussions on playing with matches, the stove and other electrical appliances. Many of you teach children the Stop - Drop and Roll method should their clothes catch on fire. But isn't is logical to also have a fire drill? Many centers don't.

Fire Drill Practice

The first step to do is to warn the children. Ask them how they would know if there was a fire in the daycare. Set the alarm to ring and let the children hear the ring: its loudness, its tone and its length.

Then stop the ringing. Now go on to ask 'Do you know what we should do if we hear that ring?'. Explain to them what they must to do when they hear the fire bell ring. They get up, leave everything behind and two-by-two with their educator, they calmly go outside and meet at a meeting place. Have your educators grab the attendance list post beside the door and close the classroom door behind them. Follow through with your fire escape plan. Remember children learn by doing, therefore if you have practiced your escape route (God forbid something would really happen) your children will know exactly where to go.

Fire Escape Plan

Make an escape plan of your center with your children. It should have two escape routes from every room. Make sure everyone knows the plan. Each class should also have a completed daily attendance sheet and the educator with that group brings out the sheet. Hang it by each door and the director and one other educator should have a master list of all the children's name and emergency numbers. Strategically place your first aid kit with the emergency sheets. (You might need to evacuate the premises if there was a gas leak --not only because of fire). Once outside -assign one person to go and call for help and ask them to report back to you -to confirm the call was palced. Special attention must be given to babies, and young children. Make maps of your daycare and possible escape routes and post them at children and adult's level.

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