In emergency situations, children are often unable to apply what they know without practice. The Children’s Burn Foundation has designed the Fire Safety House in partnership with the Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena Fire Departments. This specially designed mobile unit is modeled to replicate a two-story home. Equipped with a kitchen, bedroom, stairs and balcony, the unit allows youngsters to rehearse life-saving skills in simulated fire conditions. The House is even outfitted with a bedroom door that heats up.

In the House, third-grade students crawl under non-toxic smoke, as well as climb down the ladder of a second story window – just as they would from a burning home. Children learn about kitchen dangers and how to turn pan handles in and move pot holders and towels away from stove tops. They also practice dialing 911 to report a fire.

The program is taught in the Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena area by local firefighters. As part of the experiential learning and teaching process, firefighter educators are able to pinpoint what the children easily understand and immediately adjust the program to address points that are missed.

In 2007, a new component for the entire family was added – a takeaway practice program aid entitled Plan Your Escape. Children and parents can work together to draw a map of their home, marking two ways out of each room as well as the location of all smoke alarms. Families who complete an escape plan and mail in a tear off card receive a coupon for a free ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery locations in the Burbank and Pasadena area.