Unfortunately, children are often the victims of home fires. This tragedy is one that can be prevented by providing fire safety lessons at home. Create a fire safety plan with your children and teach them about fire safety to increase their chances of escaping a house fire with their lives.
Teaching Children about Fire Safety
- Designate an official meeting place outside of the home in the event of the fire. A meeting place could be at your mailbox or a neighbor’s driveway. Make sure you children know at least two ways out of the home.
- Conduct regular fire drills at home. Consider turning fire drills into a game to help take away any feelings of anxiety, particularly in younger children. Additionally, practice fire drills at night, the time most fires occur.
- Clearly post emergency numbers near every telephone in the home.
- Test your smoke alarms on a monthly basis with your children.
- Keep your lessons about fire safety simple, especially with younger children.
- Take advantage of teachable moments. Reinforce lessons you have taught your children about fires whenever the opportunities present themselves, like in a book or a news story. Encourage your children to share what they would do in a similar situation.
- Be a good example for your children regarding fire safety.
Every year there is a National Fire Prevention Week to lift attention for these questions. If you have not created a fire safety plan with your family, this week is the perfect time.
Learn more about emergency planning for the whole family.
[photo: Alex Miroshnichenko]
