10 Fire Safety Lessons for Kids

More than 100,000 fires are started by children each year. Around 40% of children under 5 years old who die in fires are victims of fires started by children. Teaching your children about fire safety is not only good parenting, but can also end up being the difference between life and death. Here are a few things to help you.

1. Escape route – Every school has a route for classes to follow in the case of a fire and they practice fire drills. Every home should have an escape route as well and a designated meeting spot. Practice the escape route on a regular basis so your kids become familiar with it and the meeting spot.
2. Escape ladders – Having an escape ladder for the second floor is very important. Conduct fire drills using the ladder if your children have rooms on the second level, so they can get used to knowing what to do. For smaller children you can have them practice using the ladder on a first floor window.
3. Finding the way out – Teach your children how to find their way out of the home. Remember, that if there is a fire there will be lots of smoke, and they won’t be able to see clearly, so practice getting out by feeling the way; use a blindfold or have the kids keep their eyes closed to simulate the darkness. Make sure they know to crawl out, keeping low to the floor because the air near the floor will be clearer there.
4. Smoke detectors – Let the children know what the smoke detector is, where they are located and what they sound like when they go off. Also make sure you check the batteries on a regular basis and replace them annually.
5. Get out, stay out – It’s very important to teach the kids that once they escape a burning building, it is imperative that they stay out no matter what. Let them know that if they are worried about a pet or someone that may still be in the building, they should tell an adult and never go back.
6. Stop, drop and roll – Practice “stop, drop and roll” should their clothes catch fire. Too many people ended up in a worse situation or even lost their life because they ran instead of stopping, dropping to the ground and rolling until the flames went out. This one simple act can make a huge difference between minor burns and loss of life.
7. Practice makes perfect – Practice fire safety rules regularly so the actions will become second nature to your children.
8. Discuss fire safety – It would surprise you to know how few parents discuss fire safety with their children. Don’t be one of them. Talk about all aspects of fire safety and especially let young children know what a fireman in full gear looks like. Children can be frightened by the sight of a fireman in boots and helmet and face mask.
9. Songs help reinforce actions – With smaller kids you can make up words to a tune they know telling them what they should do. Singing this song when you practice your fire drills will help them remember what to do in the case of a fire.
10. Don’t play with matches or fire – You can do your best to make sure matches are not within reach of children, but sometimes even your best efforts can get thwarted. Drill into your kids the rule that they are not to play with matches or fire under any circumstances.

Fire can be mesmerizing and deadly. It is better to know what to do and never have to do it, when it comes to being prepared to deal with a fire. There are all kinds of activities and games available online to help you teach your kids about fire safety. Take advantage of the resources that are offered and make fire safety a priority in your home.

Taken From Nanny