Fire safety training should start when your child is young. Child Care Aware, a child care resource website, points out that almost half of house fire victims are under age 5, so early training might prevent a disaster. You must teach children in an age-appropriate way and focus on the most important aspects of fire prevention and how to escape. Your efforts could literally be lifesaving if your child ever faces a fire.
Prevention
Teach little kids about fire prevention. Youngsters are naturally curious, and must learn not to experiment with matches or lighters. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) advises teaching them to give such items to an adult immediately if the child finds them lying around the house. Kids should also learn not to touch stoves, fireplaces and other potentially hazardous appliances that can pose burn and fire danger.
Escape
Every family should have a main and alternate fire escape plan. Little kids can learn this plan through rehearsals. Have home fire drills that cover both escape routes. Your children should learn to get out of the house immediately if they hear the smoke detectors or see a fire, and Child Care Aware recommends teaching them to stay low if there is smoke. Have a meeting spot where everyone can go after escaping the house. Teach kids to stay at that spot, even if other family members are not there yet. They may worry about the family, pets and favorite toys or possessions, so emphasize they must never return to a burning building. They can also learn the classic "stop, drop and roll" technique if their clothing catches fire during the escape.
Assistance
All children should learn that 911 is the emergency telephone number to call for fires and other problems. Little kids should always have supervision by parents, another adult or a babysitter, but teach them where to find help if that person is unavailable. Designate a nearby neighbor, and teach your child to run to that person's home if it is ever necessary.
Resources
The USFA offers a variety of resources on its website for teaching little kids about fire safety. There are downloadable coloring pages, mazes and puzzles, and activity sheets. Parents can use these as part of their home fire education plan. They present important information in a simple and enjoyable way.
Warning
Some curiosity about fire is natural, but the USFA warns that some kids develop an abnormal fascination with it. Satisfy normal curiosity by talking about the topic at home and possibly arranging a visit to a fire station. Abnormal interest may require professional treatment. Watch for signs of a problem like used matches, stashed lighters and burned toys, paper or other objects, as well as an obsessive interest in fire trucks or fire fighting. Some kids may even call 911 inappropriately. Speak with a school counselor or professional therapist if you notice these behaviors.
