fire safety education and safety products

Teaching the “Escape and Wait” system

The “Escape and Wait” system provides the uniformity needed in safety instruction while maintaining the flexibility to fit well with any teaching style. Individual teachers can and will use the system quite differently but with the same positive results. When teaching with “Escape and Wait” we encourage innovation and greatly appreciate sharing ideas on how to improve the system.

Preschoolers and kindergarteners can use “Escape and Wait” as a means of answering the question “whose job is it?” At this age the children are just starting to feel some independence and responsibility. They want to know exactly what is expected of them and take great pride in fulfilling those expectations. Following class the children should be able to answer questions about responsibility. Whose job is it to put out the fire and rescue the pets? The Firefighters. Whose job is it to help younger siblings and call 911? The parents or adults. What is the childs job? Escape and Wait!!

We have found that children as young as two can learn the basics of fire safety through the “Escape and Wait”. The easily remembered phrase “Escape and Wait” can be repeated along with the visual clues of the blue pentagon while talking to these extremely young children. Should a fire occur these children are much more likely to act appropriately with help from the words “Escape and Wait” and the memory of the blue pentagon. Instead of trying to teach young children not to hide in closets or under beds during an emergency we teach them what to do. It is far easier to remember what you should do than is remembering a long list of what not to do.

Early elementary students usually have more trouble refraining from taking on to much responsibility. The Escape and Wait can be used to discourage that desire while giving clear instruction on its limitations. The four strong rules on the front of the “Escape and Wait” give clear instructions to early readers. Children that follow the instructions will not exceed their responsibility.

1. Escape from the hazard.
2. Don’t go back in.
3. Wait here for the Fire Dept.
4. Have a neighbor call 911.

The greatest benefit for this age child comes from the back of the “Escape and Wait”. The back encourages the child to use all they learned in class to create an escape plan with their family. When this child comes home with an “Escape and Wait” they are eager to show what they learned about fire safety and share it with the whole family. The Escape and Wait becomes a motivation for everyone to participate in creating an escape plan.

As kids progress through elementary school they should have many opportunities to learn about fire safety. During the fear and excitement of a real fire they still need the “Escape and Wait” to remind them of what to do. It is extremely easy for all of us, adults included, to forget where our meeting place is during a true emergency. The “Escape and Wait” is a gentle reminder of where to go and what to do.

Every day when returning home from school or work you will see the “Escape and Wait” and know that you and all of your loved ones will meet right here should the worst ever happen.

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The “Escape and Wait” should be at any home your child spends the night including Grandparents Read More >