How to Teach a Child Fire Safety

By eHow Parenting Editor

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These days children in school are fortunate to have fire drills and fire safety events. Many schools have firefighters come to assemblies to teach the children fire safety. But it is still important to reiterate fire safety in the home and on the streets.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Telephones
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Internet Service Providers
  • Markers
  • Poster Board Or Cardboard
  • Computers

Step1
Explain to your child that you are going to go over some fire safety lessons and explain the importance of fire safety.
Step2
Teach your child EDITH - the acronym for "exit drills in the home."
Step3
Keep matches, lighters and cigarettes out of the hands of children. Put them in high places where tiny hands can't get to them - and be sure to tell your kids that matches and lighters start fires and are not toys to play with.
Step4
Tell your child to find an adult if she sees anyone playing with matches or lighters, and that if she finds matches, she must give them to an adult.
Step5
Teach your child to call 911 in an emergency. Explain that if she is home and the smoke alarm goes off, she should get out of the house and go to a neighbor's house to call 911.
Step6
Take a look at different Web sites that address fire safety. They have games, characters and fun facts for children that make learning about fire safety exciting.
Step7
Stress fire safety to your children around various holidays, like the Fourth of July and the December holiday season, when fireworks, matches and candles are abundant.

Tips & Warnings

  • It's important to explain to your child why she shouldn't play with matches. If you find your child playing with matches or a lighter, take them away, but also take the time to go over these fire safety rules.
  • Children copy adults. So if you are lighting matches and smoking or lighting candles, chances are your child will be interested in doing the same. Take extra precautions and teach your child not to play with matches.

Comments

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on 5/22/2007 A very important and informative article!!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Teach your kids about how and when to pull a fire alarm in a fire. Tell them it's OK to pull it when they see smoke. If they are not sure when to pull it, it's OK for them to ask an adult.

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eHow Article:  How to Teach a Child Fire Safety

eHow Parenting Editor

eHow Parenting Editor

Category: Parenting

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