Operation EDITH public service announcement

Would your child know what to do if your smoke detector sounded in the middle of the night? Young children are at the greatest risk of dying in house fires because they often try to hide from smoke and flames under a bed or in a closet.

The Independent Insurance Agents of NC and The JJ Wade Agency in Davidson are urging families with young children to join Operation EDITH. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m., plan and practice an Exit Drill in the Home – it could save your child’s life.

Children age five and under are twice as likely to die in fires as are older children and adults. Statistics show that for children age 1-4, fires and burns are the leading cause of unintentional injury. Why? Many young children die in fires because they instinctively try to hide from smoke and flames. Fear often causes children to hide in a closet or under a bed in the mistaken belief that they are safe from fire.

We can help protect our young children through a two-fold process of insuring that there is a working smoke detector in every home, and by encouraging parents to conduct an exit drill in the home with their families.

That is the goal of Operation EDITH. Operation EDITH, whose letters stand for Exit Drill in the Home, has been around for many years to educate parents that practicing a home exit drill and having a working smoke detector can save lives.

During Fire Safety Week, October 5th-11th, The JJ Wade Agency will distribute parent brochures, posters, coloring books, and stickers to area schools.

For more information about Operation EDITH, contact Garrett Droege at The JJ Wade Agency – 704-892-9297, www.jjwadeinsurance.com

Parent Fire Safety Checklist

• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Replace batteries at least twice a year. If bedroom doors are kept closed at night, a detector should also be installed in each bedroom.
• Prepare a home exit plan. There should be two exits from each room which means one exit could be a window. You may need to purchase chain ladders which would enable your family to exit from a second story window without injury. Such supplies are carried in local hardware and home improvement stores.
• At least twice a year, practice a home exit drill with your family. Make sure your children know
  to tell a grown-up if they see smoke or flames to get out of the house when they hear the smoke detector two ways to exit each room to go to your “family meeting place” never to go back into a burning building.