How to talk to your child about house fires

Many children are fascinated by firefighters and firetrucks, but they don't necessarily make the connection to fires themselves. It is important to teach your child about fire safety. Find a way to do this that will be effective, yet nonthreatening.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Toy fire trucks
• Toy firefighter's helmet
• Picture books about firefighters
• Books or videos about fire safety

1. Start the conversation by talking about firefighters and firetrucks. Use some toys as props, particularly toy fire trucks or a firefighter's helmet. You could also look at a picture book about firefighters.

2. Discuss the things firefighters do to keep people safe during fires - climbing ladders to rescue them from tall buildings, using fire hoses to put out the flames and other tasks. Stress the positive, less scary aspects of the mission.

3. Explain the things we all can do to help firefighters perform their jobs and to ensure our safety during a fire. Discuss basic fire safety and prevention, using books and videos that teach kids about this topic. Use books and videos featuring familiar characters, such as Elmo or the Sesame Street regulars. These characters help make the situations seem more real to children, yet also make them seem less frightening.

4. Go for a "safety walk" through your house together, looking for potential fire hazards (matches, candles, old rags) and discuss what you can do to make them less hazardous (put matches up on high shelves, extinguishing candles before leaving the room, turning off the stove). Look for ways to escape in an emergency, such as doors, windows and the basement entrance. Show your child how to get down on all fours and crawl to an exit in the event of too much smoke. Turn it into a fun game or race and let your child win.

5. Arrange to visit a fire station so your child can meet firefighters and examine a firetruck up close. Firefighters often make appearances with their trucks at community events, where they distribute materials (coloring books, stickers and comics) that reinforce fire safety lessons.

Tips & Warnings

• Use short, easy-to-remember phrases like "Stay Low and Go" (to remind your child to crawl under the smoke) or "Stop, Drop and Roll" (for when your clothing catches fire).
• Practice using a ladder or fire escape should you live 2 or more stories above the ground floor
• Teach your kids how to dial 911 in case of an emergency, and remind them not to dial it unless the emergency is serious.