Prepping can be defined in many ways. For me it is striving for self-sufficiency through skill improvement and an open mind set towards the possibilities of what could happen and training myself to handle those situations.
With my mind on preparedness drills this past week, an opportunity came about to put awareness into action. Our children are 3 and 2 (birthdays in July) so for any GOOD plan we have assumed we would be carrying them in addition to any preparations. Then we had a small fire.
I was cooking multiple things on the stove while the kids watched nearby. They often watch and occasionally help stir (not the hot foods, the ingredients before I put them in the pan). This time a small fire broke out on one of the burners (boil over from when my husband cooked that I had not noticed before starting). With two kids and 4 pans I had my hands full and called from my husband to help. He came in saying “Get Back! Get Back!” he grabbed the pan and tried to smother it while I grabbed the fire extinguisher.
The fire was out quickly, and we didn’t need the extinguisher, but we immediately noticed a problem.
The children were still right there on their stools.
With the items I had on the stove – and the fact that we live in a mobile home – that fire could have easily jumped out of control. My husband and I immediately agreed that the kids needed to learn a new skill: what to DO if there is a fire, rather than just be baggage.
Now, if we yell “FIRE FIRE FIRE” they are to run and stand with their backs to the TV. This puts them in the living room directly between both doors to outside. They are now directly on the path for us to grab on the way out the door, but it does not counteract the standing rule that they should not go outside without Mommy or Daddy. Finally, it insures they are out from under foot so we have the best possibility for stopping a future fire.
For anyone who has small children you know that lessons must be repeated often. Our first test went great. We did another drill about an hour later. The second was faster, so we were well pleased. Now, a point to note. My husband tried it without “making a big deal”. In other words, he said it, he didn’t yell it. Our daughter just looked at him like he was crazy – utter disaster in his eyes. However, after some discussion I think he understands that if there were a fire we’d be yelling it.
The next day my son, the 2 year old, asked me questions about the fire such as if there was one, and if “it” was ok to come in the kitchen. I don’t want him totally fearful – but I do want him thinking. After a day of not talking about it we had another drill tonight: a momentary pause then they both ran quickly to their spot!
Our plan is to drill every couple days for a while to make sure the message is deeply ingrained. We are discussing a “BIG FIRE. BIG FIRE. BIG FIRE” alternative that will have them running to the door leading to the fenced yard, but we are taking things one step at a time.
