| Fires can start in an instant and spread quickly to | | | | An informed child is less like to play with matches |
| engulf your home in flames and smoke. Curious | | | | or lighters. Show children what matches, lighters |
| children can start fires without meaning to. It is | | | | and candles look like. Explain to them that they |
| important for parents to set aside some time to | | | | should never touch them because fires can start. |
| teach their children about fire safety. Children who | | | | The danger of these items should be fully |
| have been educated on fire safety are less likely | | | | explained until your children do seem to |
| to start fires and will know what to do if a fire | | | | understand. |
| emergency hits your home. | | | | Fireplaces and wood stoves need to be avoided |
| Many homes have home security systems with | | | | by children. Explain to your kids that standing close |
| fire monitoring. This is an excellent addition to | | | | could cause them or their clothes to be burned. |
| your home but does not substitute for teaching | | | | Never allow children to help you build a fire in the |
| your children how to get out of the house. They | | | | fireplace or load a wood stove. |
| will still need to evacuate the premises in the | | | | Kitchen safety is equally important. Teach your |
| event of a fire. | | | | small children never to touch the stove. Older |
| One of the best ways to teach small children | | | | children should be taught not to use the stove or |
| about fire safety is to make it fun. The U.S. Fire | | | | oven without an adult present. Make sure to keep |
| Administration has several publications that are all | | | | all pot handles toward the center of the stove. |
| available for free to help children learn such as | | | | This can prevent little hands from reaching up to |
| coloring book pages, safety word searches, | | | | get the pot. |
| escape plan mazes, and more. Have your children | | | | Show your children the smoke alarms in the |
| practice their home fire safety by working their | | | | home. Test the alarm while they are present so |
| online quizzes. There is a quiz that will allow them | | | | that they can hear the sound. Instruct them on |
| to become a Junior Fire Marshall. Becoming a | | | | what to do if they hear the smoke alarm go off. |
| Junior Fire Marshall will give your child something to | | | | Develop an evacuation plan with two exits from |
| be proud of and he/she can help to remind the | | | | every room. Practice the family evacuation plan. |
| family to practice the fire escape plan on a | | | | Teach children to test doors before opening them |
| regular basis and test smoke detectors. | | | | by placing their hand on the door to see if it is |
| It is important for your kids to know what fire is | | | | hot. |
| and that it can be harmful to your family. They | | | | If you are one of the families that has not |
| need to understand how incredibly dangerous fires | | | | purchased home security system you may want |
| can be. Discuss that the first sign of a fire may | | | | to consider one for your family's safety. A |
| be smoke. | | | | security system with monitoring services from |
| Teach your children to practice fire safety in their | | | | one of the top names in home security could |
| room or playroom by not placing any clothes or | | | | make the difference in a quick response to save |
| paper products on top of lamps. Heaters and | | | | your home and family. |
| radiators should be avoided by children. | | | | |