TOT FINDERS OR FIRE DECALS

Window decals that could alert firefighters immediately to the locations of children's bedrooms sound like a great idea. A closer look, however, explains why the decals are not recommended: The National Fire Protection Agency has summarized this list of reasons to avoid such decals.

1. Decals can give families a false sense of security; they may imply that it is safe for children to wait to be rescued. Children should be taught EDITH (exit drills in the home).

2. Decals signal a vulnerable area in the home and could put sleeping children (and the whole household) at risk of intrusion from burglars.

3. Decals may cause firefighters to enter a bedroom looking for trapped children who may be sleeping in another room, have grown up or moved out. This may jeopardize firefighter safety.

If you should happen to have a Tot Finder decal on one of your windows it is recommended that it be removed! Firefighters will question homeowners on arrival if there is anyone trapped. (Or it is reported pre-arrival to dispatchers) It is also fire departments standard operating procedures to do a primary search which is then followed up by a more thorough secondary search.