There’s no question that fire safety is important. In the U.S. alone, a fire department responds to a fire every 24 seconds. If you have young kids, you can make sure that they learn the ins and outs of fire safety while still having fun. Here are some activities you can do together to help them learn the importance of fire safety!
1. Change the Smoke Detector Batteries Together
Under the NFPA25 code, fire protection systems should undergo regular visual and functional inspections. There are multiple tests that are done monthly, quarterly, semi-quarterly, yearly, and at five and 10-year intervals. At home, you should change your smoke detector batteries twice a year. This is an extremely important part of fire safety and a very simple one to actually do. If you’re teaching your child about fire safety, get them involved by changing the batteries together. Explain to them how the detectors keep your family safe by alerting you to any smoke or fire that is in the house. You can demonstrate how it makes a loud noise to wake up anyone who’s sleeping and get everybody’s attention.
This can serve two purposes. Not only will it help them understand the importance of fire safety but it can also help calm anxious children who want to know how their family will stay safe if there’s a fire.
2. Create a Fire Escape Plan
Your family should have a plan in place in case of a fire. If you don’t already have one, create one together and make sure that your children are involved in the planning process. Figure out exactly what you’ll do in case of a fire. How will you get out of the house and where will you meet up? This will help your family get prepared while also providing a source of knowledge and comfort for younger children who might be overwhelmed at the idea. If you’re unsure how to make a good fire escape plan, look online. There are 1.8 billion websites operating globally at the same time every day, so you’re bound to find one that works for you.
3. Take a Field Trip to the Fire Station
Find a time when your family can visit a fire station. If your children see the firefighters and their equipment, they will be able to understand more clearly what the firefighters actually do during a house fire. They’ll be able to ask questions and see the equipment for themselves. Doing these kinds of visits helps your child build trust with the firefighters. This can be essential if you’re in an unfortunate situation where you or your child needs to be rescued.
4. Read Books About Fire Safety
Make sure that you’re reading books about fire safety as you’re teaching your kids. They will be able to connect with the characters in these stories and use the narratives to make sense of something that might seem overwhelmingly large and scary when taken out of context. If you’re unsure about which books would be best for your child’s reading level, ask a librarian or teacher to help you find the right ones. By reading these books together, you can help your child understand the importance of fire safety.
Fire safety is one of the most essential things you’ll teach your children. The things they learn here could literally save lives at some point, including their own. So, make sure that you’re teaching them in the best ways possible. By applying these tips to your life, you can help them learn how to prevent fires and how to stay safe during an emergency.
