Fire Safety Tips for Children

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

House fires are a tragic event we hope never happens, however if it ever did safety is the first priority. As an adult we have a key understanding on what to do if a fire did happen, something that was taught to us at one point. Making sure you teach those safety tips to any children in your home is very important. Children under the age of five are twice as likely to die in a house fire than any other age. Teaching fire safety at a very young age to a child, and keeping it refreshed in their memory is just the key to hopefully avoiding a tragedy like that from happening. Here are some tips you should remember to teach your children about fire safety if an emergency ever occurred.

-Always teach your children that fire is not a toy, and it is something they should never play with. This goes for matches, lighters, stove-tops, candles, etc.

-Make sure every floor of your home has a smoke detector. You should also teach your kids the sound it makes. That way if it ever went off they know that sound indicates an emergency.

-Sit down with the kids and come up with a family fire safety plan together. Including what to do if you hear the smoke detector go off, different ways to get out of the home, and where to go once out of the house.

-Always practice the fire safety plan your family comes up with. Do test runs showing your children exactly what to do.Showing them all the different ways of getting out the home. Make sure they can easily open windows, and screens if necessary. Also practicing where to go for your meet up location.

-Remember to teach your children safety tips for a fire. Including how to correctly check to see if a door is hot. Letting them know to always stay low to the ground if smoke is entering a room, and to stop, drop, and roll if clothing catches on fire.

-Teach your children that even though it is an emergency try not to panic. Never run and hide if you hear a smoke alarm, and to let them know their main goal is to get out of the home. This is why practicing your fire safety plan as much as you can will make the child feel more comfortable ,and secure on what to do during an emergency.

- Lastly make sure your children know 9-1-1, and to always utilize it for help during an emergency.

It is estimated by the U.S Fire Administration that 300 people are killed, and $280 million in property is destroyed each year from children playing with fire. Talking with your children, and letting them know the dangers of fire can help try and avoid these tragedies from happening.