TRAVERSE CITY -- If the fire alarm went off in your house, would everyone wake up?

7&4 News has learned that smoke alarms can provide a false sense of security since most of us assume everyone wakes up to the blaring sound. We wanted to see first hand if young children would wake up on their own, and know what to do.

Don and Colleen Wylie recently contacted the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department concerned they would not be able to get to their kids should a fire break out. Their bedroom is on the opposite end of the house. Fire officials told them to buy a smoke detector and have a plan.

6-year old Tanner Wylie says, “We go and try to get out the door. If it’s too hot I take a blanket or shirt and put it on my face and open the window. If I can’t I take my chair and break the window and then get out.”

 The kids even know where to meet should they ever have to escape.

4-year old Karma Wylie says, “Tree”

Tanner adds, “Yeah, we have a tree and meet at that place.”

We decided to put their knowledge to the test. Even though Don and Colleen were nervous the sound of the smoke alarm would scare their children, they agree to the test, hoping it will help other families learn about fire safety. Once the house is quiet and the kids are sound asleep, we return to set off the alarm.

Two minutes into the drill and the fire would be spreading quickly through the house. The kids are sound asleep. No movement. No sound.

Colleen Wylie says, “I can’t believe they’re not waking up. Tanner’s head is right there by the alarm.”

At five minutes the house could be fully engulfed. We stop turn off the fire alarm and end the drill. Both parents are shocked the kids slept through the alarm.

Colleen Wylie says, “I really thought this was going to help me sleep better at night and it’s not. It’s going to make me sleep worse.”

Don Wylie says, “It was terrifying. They could be gone. We would be at a funeral in a couple days.”

Experts say fatal fires occur at night because people are sleeping and fires spread fast. Every thirty seconds that fire doubles in size leaving you a small time frame to make it out.

Meredith Hawes with the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department says, “Typically you have two to three minutes. A fire grows exponentially. We know children tend to be heavier sleepers. I think it’s something families should test and practice getting their children familiar with the sound of the smoke alarm.”

For the Wylie’s one thing is for sure.

Colleen Wylie says, "If they're not going to wake up that plan isn't going to work for us."

FIRE SAFETY TIPS:

1.)     Because some kids don’t wake up, it’s that much more important for adults to be ready. Smoke alarms should be inside every bedroom and every level of the house. Firefighters suggest an interconnected system.

2.)     Conduct fire drills with your family regularly during both the day and at night.  This will help you figure out what fire plan works best for your family.