Most places our kids frequent are so small and crowded that a fire engine can hardly enter the compound and the staircases are very narrow that they can hardly fit in two people at a time. It’s time we as parents gave this some thought.
- The water storage and pump capacity are specified in this Act that varies based on the building size and the number of houses in each of them.
- Every apartment should get a licensed agency to verify the prevention and fire safety measures set up in the building and a certificate is then issued.
- Basic firefighting equipments like a fire extinguisher, a hose reel, an automatic sprinkler and a tank storing adequate water to douse a fire are mandatory as per the new law.
Mornings begin with school and thankfully, most school buildings today are fire compliant. In fact, schools even conduct mock fire drills to ensure kids know exactly what to do in case of an emergency. Kids are taught about fire safety exits, how to properly file out of class and even the fire alarm sound they need to be familiar with. Check with your child’s school if they do all of these. A report from National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)‘s guidelines for private play schools clearly mentions the need for proper fire safety measures in the school. The report insists on the need for a complete safety set up in the school, mandatory fire drills and for a trauma care management that knows how to handle situations in the wake of a crisis.
After school classes are typically held at a small corner garage or shop down the road or even rented shop space in buildings. These are places where you, family members, or even your help drop the child, runs a few errands and pick them up. You aren’t present at the place and most often, these places are makeshift outfits. Think about it. Are these places compliant with fire safety norms?
Play areas are by far the scariest places in this context. Some of Mumbai’s play areas are situated in old mills where it almost impossible for a fire engine to enter let alone put out a fire. Parents usually send their children to play areas with the help. The play equipment is extremely flammable, kids don’t pay attention when they are busy playing and parents can’t even get to them through the equipment. What is the evacuation process? A popular chain mentions on their website that their centres are fire safety compliant, but a quick look at the premises shows that they don’t even have a fire extinguisher! Most play areas are popular spots for birthday parties. Think about 50 kids in one place and only help staff to take care of them.
At home, please make sure you practice fire safety at home and even have a fire extinguisher at home in case of emergency. Also, ensure your domestic help knows what to do in case of a fire at home. A report on city planning and development mention the fire safety norms explicitly. Read more.