fdwt994 wrote: As a Firefighter myself, I agree 100%. Teaching children how to use fire extinguishers is not appropriate.
I cant really see where safety training is inappropriate. Kids have the amazing ability to learn more than one thing, and the more information they have - the better. Evacuation is the first priority, if they are in a life-threatening situation; but what if they are not? Kids are taught to dial 911 in an emergency - does that mean that they will try that before evacuating?
I don't think anyone "expects" their child to "fight" a fire; It is just an easy lesson to teach them early in life.
I think it all depends on age; I would not try to teach a 3 year old how to use a fire extinguisher but what about a 11 - 12 – 13 – 14 year old??
In school we are teaching our children at the age of 8 or younger (stranger / danger) and what to do if someone tries to grab them while out side playing. We teach them how to react and fight back if at all necessary (running and telling someone is first)
We start teaching our children how to operate an automobile at the age of 15 – 16….
I think we all agree getting out safe is absolutely the first priority over all and knowing the escape routes. However, saying “Teaching children how to use fire extinguishers is not appropriate.” I must disagree with (again depending on age)
There is no way it can be harmful giving them training in an emergency situation
(m16fullauto) brought up a good point … when everyone is out of the trailer if at all possible it would be a good idea to try and remove those propane tank (if its safe) there are a lot of CG we stay at that out neighbor is only 20 feet away and if those tanks were to explode it could do damage to the trailers next to you ….
Hopefully none of us will ever go through something like this but if the time comes maybe we all will have picked up on some valuable tips and what to do..
* This post was
edited 05/21/08 08:13am by Coyote2cool *
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71 2007 KZ Coyote 23 CFK 2008 Total nights camping = 27 Just Remember: When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane
Me (37)... DW .... DD (11) ... DD (9)...Dog (1)
I don't disagree; teaching a 12 or 13 year old is probably OK. But I think that teaching a child about fire safety MUST be done properly. If a kid gets a math question wrong, what's the penalty? They don't get an "A" on their test. If a kid chooses to use a fire extinguisher for 15 seconds instead of using those 15 seconds to escape, it could mean their LIVES. This is reality. As one F.F. stated earlier, most fire injuries and fatalities are due to non-operating smoke detectors and those who try to put out the fire themselves or go back in.
I think it is naive to think that some children (again, your right, it depends on their age & maturity level) will know the difference of when it is OK to extinguish the fire and when they should just escape. I also think it is naive to think that any person, even an adult, will have the ability to operate a fire extinguisher in the circumstance that they are unable to escape due to fire. This is something you see in movies and T.V. shows, not reality. If the fire is such that it prevents you from escaping, you will NOT be able to use an extinguisher to save your life. I don't mean to be disrespectful to anyone here, honest. It's just reality.
There is always that chance if you choose to teach a child how to use a fire extinguisher they will make the wrong choice. Since the fire extinguisher will not save their life anyway, then why take the chance and show them how to use it? Keep the extinguisher out of the equation and the only thing they will try to do is escape.
Bottom line, fire extingishers are meant to save property, not lives.
Good discussion. No offense to you guys, I'm just passionate about keeping our kids safe and I'm afraid that there are a lot of misconceptions about fire safety. Thanks.
My kids 12 15 and 16.. they are told get out and stay out. The trailer is an Object that can be replaced. I would not dream of Putting that kind of pressure on them.
Do This guys, just type in "RV FIRE" into Youtube's search and watch how quickly some of the RV's go up in the video clips. yes, it's sad to watch, but it's very informative. Also take note at the toxic smoke that comes up from these things too. RV's go up FAST! They are made basically out of the same stuff packing material for electronics is made of is, and if you've ever thrown some old boxes into a fire, you get the point! I am truly amazed at how quickly these things burn!!! It makes me afraid to ever own an engine-equipped RV
Detaching the propane tanks is a great idea, but there is one big problem with that, and that is how are you going to turn them off! If you were to grab a tank, cut the hose and take off with it, you are going t have gas escaping the tank with reckless abandon if the valve it turned on, so you will also have a white-hot flame following you too!
I am suprised none of the TT companies have installed some type of sprinkler system in a camper. It would be easy enough to do. Just run a water line into the ceiling, and attach heat sensitive sprinkler heads. If you are boondocking it, they would automatically turn on the water pump, and start spraying. With city water, it would just keep on until the plumbing burns up, or the water is turned off. This could give the occupants at least a little time until the tank runs out to escape.
I am glad I have an HTT though, They are particuarly easy to escape from. If kids need to be rescued, one could first escape from the canvas bunk tent, and then run around to the kids' end of the rig, lift up the canvas on their end, and then help them out from the outside.
I have guests with me frequently, and it is VERY important to go over with them the proper procedure for fire emergencies, like where the exits are, how to operate the exits, etc. It's probably also a good idea to keep a hammer or some other tool that breaks glass on the outside, and maybe even keep some sort of tool near the park water connection that if something were to happen, you could cut the water hose, and then use it to blast the water into the fire. Now, I'm not condoning fighting the fire, but if you are trying to get someone out, like your child or something, having some water to spray around them might just give you a few precious seconds.
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