How to Teach Your Kids About Fire Safety

Keeping your family safe at home goes far beyond having a basic home security system. One of the best ways to prepare your kids to stay safe around the house is by teaching them standard fire drills that they can use in the event of an emergency.

In 2010 alone, the US fire department responded to 369,500 home fires. Many parents may be shocked to know that the number one cause of home fires is cooking, making it more important than ever to educate kids of all ages about the best ways to stay safe and prevent fires around the house.

But how can you teach your kids about fire safety without scaring them? The following are a few suggestions:

Help kids understand the triggers

When kids understand how fires are started, it makes it easier for them to avoid common risks and mistakes that could accidentally cause a fire.

For instance, by reminding your kids not to leave candles lit when leaving the house, you are reducing the risk of a fire starting while everyone is away. In addition, remind younger children that they should only use matches and lighters when they are supervised or older a certain age.

Now that you know cooking is the number one cause of house fires in the US, take the time to cook together as a family. This is both a fun activity and a great way to show your kids the safe way to turn on and off the oven, and how to make meals on the stove.

Make fire drills fun

Everyone experiences fire drills; even at your place of business, the HR department probably runs drills. And like your kids, you might get startled each time one happens.

Instead of making a fire drill a scary experience for your children, run fire drills at home when your kids have friends over. This way you can turn it into a contest; give out prizes to whoever completes the drill the fastest.

Even though it may seem like overkill, familiarizing your kids with your fire drill route will make a world of difference in getting your family to safety in the event of a real house fire. You know the best ways to exit your house in a fire, but does the babysitter? She won’t need to if your kids do.

Take kids on a tour of a fire station

Unfortunately, the only time that kids get to meet firefighters is when they are responding to a drill or actual fire. This doesn’t give kids the best first impression.

As a result, consider taking your children on a field trip to your local fire station. This way they’ll get to meet firefighters and see that they aren’t scary but in fact friendly, and in the event of a fire, they will help.

In addition, walking around a fire station creates the opportunity for firefighters to review important safety tips. Let’s face it: when mom reviews “stop, drop and roll” it’s annoying. But when a fireman does it, it’s awesome. Going on a field trip to the fire station is an effective way to educate your kids on fire safety, while making the field trip a fun activity at the same time.

Talking to your kids about fire safety will help to make them be aware of possible risks around the house. When you make fire safety a fun, educational activity, you can protect your family from potential danger – without causing your kids to lose sleep at night!

 

 

 

 

Sylvia Rosen is an online writer with a background in newspaper journalism. She enjoys writing about parenting, family health and home services, such as fire alarm and home security systems.