Fire and Emergency Safety Tips for Kids with Hearing Loss

Are you and your family prepared for an emergency at home? Fire and home safety alert devices are important in every home. However, for families of children with hearing loss, there are additional things to consider!

You’ll want to take special steps to make sure your child is alerted in an emergency and knows what to do. Here are six safety tips for kids with hearing loss:

1. Contact your local fire department and let them know you have a child who is D/HH in the home. 
    
   Most fire departments conduct public service training. They can come to your home to assess your alert systems. They’ll also provide fire safety training for you and your child, and help you develop a fire safety plan. You can also sign up for Smart 911 or call the non-emergency number to update your file. This will help first responders know that there is a child with hearing loss in the home.
   
   
2. Install smoke alarm devices in every room with a strobe light integrated into each device.
    
   The visual will be important in case your child isn’t wearing their hearing devices when the alarm sounds. You’ll want to do the same with carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Install them on each floor of the home, particularly in and around sleeping areas.
   
   
3. Install a bed shaker smoke/CO alert system to alert your child in case they are asleep during an emergency.
    
   The bed will shake your child awake so they are alerted to what is going on.
   
   
4. Practice your safety plan with your child regularly so they know what steps to take when an alert device goes off. 
    
   Always have a safety plan in case of a fire at your home. Depending on where you live, you may have a safety plan for other emergencies, like tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes. Be sure everyone in the family is up to date on the plan and knows what to do! Include siblings so they can help check to be sure that your child with hearing loss is alerted in an emergency.
   
   
5. Maintain alert devices on an ongoing basis. 
    
   Installing safety devices is only the first step. Closely follow alert device manufacturer guidelines for maintenance. Test your alert devices monthly by pushing the test button. This also helps your child know what the device looks and sounds like! Change batteries every six months or less and follow specific recommendations for bed shakers.
   
   
6. Talk to a trusted neighbor about your plan.
   
   Make sure someone you know outside of your home and family is aware of your emergency plan and of your child’s hearing loss. If you live in an apartment or rent your home, talk to the building manager or landlord.

You don’t want to be unprepared so it’s important you plan now before an emergency happens. Using these safety tips for kids with hearing loss can help you and your child be prepared, and you’ll have peace of mind that your home safety alert system is set up for the whole family.

List of Resources for Fire Safety and Assistive Alerting Devices

• Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Hearing Loss: A Family Guide TIPS AND RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
• Minnesota Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division Alerting Device Vendor List
• National Fire Protection Association Safety Materials for People Who Are Hard of Hearing
• Fire Safety for Families With Children Who Are Visually Or Hearing Impaired - Meet The Davis Family

Fire Safety Tips for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss