Sleepover Checklist

We found this list over at the National Fire Protection Association, and thought at first it'd be a checklist for when you host a sleepover, but actually it's a list of things to ask the parents who are hosting. Would you ask these questions?

There are two other sections to the checklist, but here are the questions you'd be asking:

• Are there working smoke alarms on every level, inside and outside each sleeping area? Are the alarms interconnected?
• Do they have a well-rehearsed fire escape plan that includes two ways out and a meeting place outside?
• Where will your child be sleeping? Is there a smoke alarm in the room? Are there two escape routes from the room?
• Will the parents walk through their escape plan with your child?
• Do the parents prohibit bedroom candle use by children?

These definitely seem like wise things to think about, but somehow we're doubtful our mom ever asked them when we were attending sleepovers. Will you?

View the complete checklist at

Julia Cho

October 7, 2009 04:00PM

Comments

Comments (6)

I really don't see myself asking this. Ha.

posted by heather @ dollarstorecrafts.com on October 7th 2009 at 3:26pm
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No... honestly, while safety is a concern, the current trend is to bubblewrap our kids until they're adults. This attitude can be a bit of a kill-joy.... It's one night... I'll live on the edge and trust that the other parents aren't complete idiots.

posted by modern on long island on October 7th 2009 at 3:35pm
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I see myself asking questions about the type of entertainment at the party, what adults will be in attendance, etc. I honestly don't see sleep-overs in my kids' futures--too many horrible things (and I'm not talking fire-escapes) happen late at night when parents are lax.

posted by sassypiggy on October 7th 2009 at 4:15pm
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I think a more important question to ask is if there is a gun in the house. When I was in middle school a friend was killed during a sleepover while playing with the father's gun.

posted by buddyrooster on October 7th 2009 at 4:39pm
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we need to teach our kids right from wrong for every situation weather it be fire, guns, chemicals, drugs, drinking...espically for when you arent around. teach your kids what to do in emergency situtaions. i would think this would really freak my kid out if they were spending the night...talk about scary story for bed time.

posted by jackied302 on October 7th 2009 at 8:16pm
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I second buddyrooster. A gun in the house scares me much more than whether or not there are escape routes.

posted by jenmaselli on October 8th 2009 at 10:10am
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