We are fast approaching the anniversary of my brother and nephew's deaths.

So I am going to take this moment to ask you all if you have planned your escape route from your house in case of fire. Do the kids know the plan?

Is the battery working in your smoke alarm? Is there even a battery in your smoke alarm, or did the beeping annoy you?

What will you do if your stairs are alight?
If the grandkids are staying over, do they know the plan? Which adult is getting which child?

Where do you keep your house keys at night? Could you find them if there was smoke and fire?

Do you shut the kitchen door when you go to bed? That was what the fire brigade said would have made most difference for my family.

Do you turn electrical appliances off at the wall, especially the ones you bought from somewhere online?

Have you walked through your escape plan? You need muscle memory to kick in when the panic of an emergency situation hits.

Please, if you could think about these things and make changes if you need to it would mean that something good has come from our tragedy. I never want anyone else to have to go through this.

#Fire #FireSafety #Emergency

@PetraPhoenix I'm so sorry for your loss.

in 2003 many parts of Canberra were damaged due to bushfires. In 2021 as part of a digital humanities project I made a webpage for small children about the experience as if it were seen throughout the eyes of a Blue Heeler (my grand-dog Max). It features an audio picture book - although the polls no longer work and some of the resources are no longer available.

Note:
The content on this website is designed for Foundation and Year 1 students. Set within the context of Canberra’s recent bushfire history, this project aims to provide a forum for families and educators to create a non-threatening environment in which to discuss and devise emergency strategies using the downloadable planners provided.

https://max.greataustralianpods.com/

Maxie's BushFire Adventures - A Dog's Tale

@cheryanne

That sounds amazing. Unfortunately when I click the link it just brings up an error for me

@PetraPhoenix oh that's a shame - just tested on my phone and it's okay here on wifi and mobile.

@cheryanne

I will try it on my laptop later, to see if it will work on there