It’s Fire Prevention Week and our local firefighters were handing out trinkets and information during our shopping run. My children ogled over the cool goodies and their treasured plastic fire helmets while I flipped through the brochures. I hadn’t thought about many of these safety tips since I was in school, probably getting the same goodies as my kids.  Now with kids of my own, every rental we’ve lived in has been dramatically different.  One-story, two-story, duplex, forested, urban, we’ve done it all. However, we’ve always approached rental safety regarding fires the same: “get away from fire.”

My kids know basic fire safety (get out of the house, stay low) but we move quite a bit. Our five year old is living in her fifth rental home, each very different from the last. Somewhere between unpacking, change of address forms and school registrations, rental safety fell on the back burner. If my kids woke-up in the night to a fire blocking the stairwell, would they know what to do? 

Our last rental was in a planned community, our current one is much more rural. Would they know where to go or what to do once they got out? An impromptu fire drill made it apparent, we were a hot mess. One child decided she would stay put, wait in her room until the firefighters came. The other was ready to jump out the window head first, although it was unclear how said window would open. Once out child 1 would stand by the house until the parents came out, child 2 was running to the closest neighbor (although we were uncertain as to whether it was for help or to play with a friend.) They understand fire is dangerous but had no idea how to safely get out of THIS house during an emergency. 

When you are moving into a new rental sweet rental there is A LOT on your mind. “What if there’s a fire tonight?” probably isn’t at the top of your list. Emergencies are rarely expected, but they should be planned for.  The basic principles are always the same, get to safety.  However a change in dwelling can make a huge difference in how little ones comprehend doing that. Start making a plan and educating your family today with information and downloadable tools here.

Not all heroes wear capes, be the hero your family needs today. Tag @rentaldiaries on Instagram to share how you made your rental safer for everyone living in it.