Fire Safety For Kids & Teens

1. Talk to your kids about how they can prevent fires. Children are naturally curious about fire. Take the mystery out of fire. Teach fire safety and encourage your kids to tell their friends. Always be available to discuss any questions your child may have concerning fire and safety around your home.
2. Always teach your children to never play with matches, lighters or candles for any reason. Do not leave candles unattended especially with children present. Children learn by example.
3. Do not leave blankets or clothing near a space heater or fireplace. Cloth is highly flammable and catches fire quickly. Even a warm light bulb can set cloth on fire.
4. View your home by your child’s perspective. Get down low to notice what your child sees. Protect them from loose wiring, extension cords, and electrical outlets.
5. It is imperative to have a plan for your family in case of fire. This is worth repeating. Your neighborhood fire department can assist you in making a plan that works for your environment and family. Practice your evacuation plan periodically with your child. A well thought out plan can ensure your family can escape quickly and safely. Children respond better in many situations when they know what to expect.
6. Teach your children what to do when they hear the sound of a smoke alarm. Caution them to feel a door before they open it and if it’s hot, use another exit. Explain that smoke rises so they need to crawl when the room is filled with smoke.
7. Instruct them to never go back inside a burning building for any reason. If their clothes have caught fire, remember the “stop, drop, and roll” method of extinguishing the fire quickly.
8. When your teen goes off to college, this is a good time to reinforce the safety tips they have learned from you through the years. They are now subject to the safety habits of others when they share an apartment or live in a dorm. Getting out of a fire safely is not luck, its preparing and planning ahead.
9. Cooking is the leading cause of fire in a dorm room and more than 50% of adult fire fatalities involve alcohol. Overloaded electrical circuits and extension cords are also common causes of campus emergencies. Encourage your student to learn the escape route in the building, locate the fire extinguishers, and the location of the 911 alert systems if present. Make sure if an alarm sounds in the building, your child takes it seriously.

Safety is a lesson that all children need to learn and practice daily. The more children understand the importance of preparation and prevention, the more likely the outcome of an emergency will be a positive one. Always keep the line of communication open between you and your child no matter what their age.