At what age did you get fire ladders for your kids rooms?

[Anonymous]

We have one in each bedroom. Kids are 5 and 7, so doubtful could use them on their own. But the thinking is if we rush into a room to find them and get trapped, we adults could help them down. We’ve gone over a fire safety plan to meet at the landing outside our bedrooms if it’s the middle of the night. And they know to touch the door knob first to see if it’s hot before opening a door. I’ve also practiced how to unlock/open a window and call for help if for some reason an adult can’t get to them from inside the house. Worst case they could jump out and maybe live with a few broken bones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is 0% chance my 2nd wouldn’t use it to sneak out in the middle of the night, so never getting those.

This. Plus we had the fire department come out and talk about fire safety to our family. They said that the ladders aren’t worth it. In an emergency people forget where it is or how to use them when an actual emergency arises.

You both have bigger fish to fry than a fire. Raise your kids to be responsible, please.

[Anonymous]

^^ oh and to add on, we’ve talked about the importance of not hiding if scared. Too many sad stories about kids freaking out and going in a closet or under the bed, which makes it harder for a firefighter to find them. I have no clue if they’ll remember this in a true emergency, but we will continue to talk about fire safety as they get older.

[Anonymous]

Never. Never even thought about it. We live in a 3 story townhouse and are probably just f*ed if the fire crew doesn't show up soon enough, but we live across the street from a fire station, so there's that hope.

Kids know how to cover face and crawl low. We would die from the jump impact for sure, so trying to make it to a door is the best bet.

[Anonymous]

We have one in our childs bedroom as a precaution. He is 4 and we are right across the landing. If the fire happens before 3am he is in his room but its <35 feet from bed to bed. If its after 3am he is likely in our bed. We have not taught him to use it but we have one for us to use with him. More than likely we would use the roof line on the garage on our side of the house to get to the driveway including with the dog coming from our bedroom but for his bedroom we would need to use a ladder.

[Anonymous]

I saw a news show (dateline maybe) that showed the majority of time, kids under 10 don’t even get woken up when fire alarms are going off. They just sleep right through them. So if for some reason you can’t get to your child, they likely won’t even wake up and use the ladder.

[Anonymous]

You will not be able to see anything in the smoke if it reaches the point that you need a fire ladder. Really doubtful that you and your kid will be able to use the ladders. Why don't you practice? Blindfold your child and yourself and try to get the ladder and set it up.

Your best line of fire protection are WORKING smoke detectors all throughout the house. Even better are Nest Smoke Detectors that are linked. These enable you to get out of the house fast and before the fire becomes overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will not be able to see anything in the smoke if it reaches the point that you need a fire ladder. Really doubtful that you and your kid will be able to use the ladders. Why don't you practice? Blindfold your child and yourself and try to get the ladder and set it up.

Your best line of fire protection are WORKING smoke detectors all throughout the house. Even better are Nest Smoke Detectors that are linked. These enable you to get out of the house fast and before the fire becomes overwhelming.

You close the door, open the window and should be able to see enough to attach it and get out. Better than nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the kids have second floor bedrooms and need a ladder to throw out the window and climb down in case of a fire. We have talked with them about this but not sure about demonstrating it. I’m mostly worried that once we show them how to unlock the windows (we have the safety bars) they might do it for fun, which is very dangerous. Or they might leave the window open.

Kids are 4, 6, and 8.

We considered it but decided against them. There is no way to actually practice with them. If you undo them they are almost impossible to get back in. One we looked at specifically said that it was a one time use only. Looking at them closely we realized that it was likely going to be difficult to use the ladder in a panic situation. The don't adhere to the house and kind of sway and we thought our kids while scared and panicky they would likely not be able to navigate using the ladder.

[Anonymous]

You could survivor a controlled drop from a second story window. Maybe break a leg.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will not be able to see anything in the smoke if it reaches the point that you need a fire ladder. Really doubtful that you and your kid will be able to use the ladders. Why don't you practice? Blindfold your child and yourself and try to get the ladder and set it up.

Your best line of fire protection are WORKING smoke detectors all throughout the house. Even better are Nest Smoke Detectors that are linked. These enable you to get out of the house fast and before the fire becomes overwhelming.

PP here. This is exactly what the fire department told us - they are useless.

[Anonymous]

My MIL got us one very early on, and we put it into the room in a hidden place where they didn't see it. I figured we would be there to use it with them if needed (our bedroom is next to theirs). We have NEVER demonstrated its use because it would be very dangerous, and I know they would try to do it again. In an emergency, I don't think they would be super likely to use this properly (even the 9-year-old, and definitely not the 6-year-old), but it's worth having.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is 0% chance my 2nd wouldn’t use it to sneak out in the middle of the night, so never getting those.

This. Plus we had the fire department come out and talk about fire safety to our family. They said that the ladders aren’t worth it. In an emergency people forget where it is or how to use them when an actual emergency arises.

You both have bigger fish to fry than a fire. Raise your kids to be responsible, please.

Hahahaha. It’s so easy to judge until you have one of those kids yourself.

[Anonymous]

I tried practicing with one once out of first floor window that is hind of high above the ground because of a high basement. I could get the ladder on the window but as for me trying to get out onto it, I thought I'd break my neck. They really sway badly -- even with the "feet". I'd feel better shimmying down knotted rope.

That said, we have one that installs into the wall in my son's room. That way it is totally securely held. I figure he could use it like a rope to help steady himself to climb down the porch roof as a last resort emergency, and then worst case use it for a controlled drop.

You can't practice with it. Too hard to put back.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know anyone who has these.

We do have smart smoke detectors. We have several all around the house so I’m pretty sure one of them would alert us to get us out on time.