Is your child safe staying
overnight at a friend's home? This section helps
parents answer that age-old question, "Mom, can I
sleep over at Dana's house?"
Think upset tummies and lack
of sleep are the biggest risks when your child is
spending the night at his or her friend's house?
"Think again," says Judy Comoletti, NFPA´s assistant
vice president for public education. "Before you
permit your child to sleep over with a friend, talk
to the child's parents. Depending on what you learn,
it can either uncover serious fire dangers or give
you peace of mind during your child's sleepover."
Ms. Comoletti says that eight
out of 10 fire deaths take place in the home, with
the majority of home fire deaths occurring late at
night. "If you don't know for certain that the
friend's home is equipped with working smoke alarms,
and that the sleepover will be supervised by an
adult, don't take the risk; reverse the invitation
and have the sleepover at your own home," she adds.
NFPA recommends teaching
children about the importance of fire escape
planning in a positive, non-threatening style.
"Ideally, your child is already well versed in home
fire escape planning and drills in your own home.
Before you permit a sleepover at a friend's, discuss
the importance of knowing how to escape from a fire
wherever you are, including friends' homes." Ms.
Comoletti also urges parents to empower children to
ask friends and their parents about fire safety in
their home, and to report to you anything that makes
them feel unsafe.
"And when it's your turn to
have other children stay overnight in your home,
make sure they know what your home's fire escape
plan is," Ms. Comoletti adds.
SLEEPOVER CHECK LIST
A checklist to
help parents and caregivers consider hazards
and make decisions about slumber parties and
sleepovers.
"Before you permit
your child to sleep over with a friend, talk
to the child's parents," says Judy Comoletti,
NFPA´s assistant vice president for public
education. "Depending on what you learn, it
can either uncover serious fire dangers or
give you peace of mind during your child's
sleepover."
Before you say
"yes"
How well do you know the home?
Is the home clean? Does it appear to be
structurally sound?
How well do you know the home? Is the home in a safe
area?
If the home has security bars on doors and
windows, do you know for certain that the
bars have quick release devices inside, so
your child could get out in an emergency?
Is your child comfortable in the home and
with all the occupants?
Are you comfortable leaving your child in
the home overnight?
How well do you know
the parent(s)? Are they mature,
responsible and conscientious? Will they supervise the
children throughout the stay? Will they remain sober
and attentive?
Are they cautious withsmoking materials,matches and lighters, andcandles?
Ask the
parents Are there workingsmoke alarms on every
level, throughout their home?
Do they have a well-rehearsedfire escape plan that
includes two ways out and a meeting place
outside?
Where will your child be sleeping? Is there
a smoke alarm in or near the room? Are there
two escape routes from the room?
Will the parents walk through their escape
plan with your child?
Do the parents prohibit bedroomcandle useby
children?
Tell the
parents... about your home escape
plan and the fire protection equipment you
have in your home.
that you will walk their child through your
plan when invited to stay overnight in your
home.
Does your
child... recognize and awaken to
the sound of the smoke alarm? Important:
If not, tell the sleepover parents that your
child does not waken to the smoke alarm and
that someone will have to wake them in an
emergency. know what to do when
the smoke alarm sounds?
know that he or she cannot hide from fire
and that the top priority is to get out and
stay out until firefighters say it is safe
to go back inside?
know the fire department emergency number?
feel empowered to ask about the friends'
escape plan?
feel empowered to tell you if there is a
dangerous practice or situation at the
friends' home?
