Keeping Your Child Safe from Fire at Home

 Posted on December 02, 2019 in Uncategorized

Traumatic accidents are the leading cause of child injuries and deaths across the United States. Most traumatic accidents that happen to children are preventable. Home fires are more common than most people realize. Parents, guardians, and caregivers can take steps to keep little ones safe from fire in the home.

Tips for keeping kids safe from burns

1. Teach fire safety to your kids

Education is important, and the earlier kids start to learn about fire hazards, the better. This includes fire prevention and fire survival. Explain to your kids why fire safety is important and that fire is not a toy.

2. Install smoke alarms

Smoke alarms save lives. Make sure you have them installed near the kitchen, on each level of the home, and near sleeping areas. Test the batteries every month and replace the batteries once a year. Make sure your kids know what the smoke alarm sounds like and what it means.

3. Teach kids about firefighters

Make sure your kids know that firefighters are their friends and not to run away from them. You can take your kids to the local fire department to meet firefighters and learn about fire safety.

4. Keep lighters and matches out of reach

Keep all lighters and matches away from children and in a locked cabinet, if possible. Tell your children that they should immediately let an adult know if they find lighters or matches.

5. Keep children away from flames and other heat sources

Never leave a child unattended near candles, open stoves, or fireplaces, even if for only a few seconds.

6. Teach your child about 911

Teach children about dialing 911 in case of emergencies. Let them know that if there is a fire in the home, they should evacuate the home before they call 911.

7. Practice your family fire safety drills

Always include your kids in planning and practicing fire safety drills. You should practice your fire safety plan multiple times a year (at least twice). This should include a primary and secondary escape route. Make sure kids know to stay low to the ground when escaping. Tell them to feel a door or doorknob for heat. If they are hot, they should not open the door.

8. Demonstrate how to escape

Show your kids how to escape. This includes demonstrating how to evacuate a room filled with smoke and how to get out an escape window.

9. Get out and stay out of the home

Tell your kids that they should never go back into a building that is on fire. They should get out and call for help.

10. Stop, Drop, and Roll

This is something everyone learns, and it stays true. Teach children that, if their clothes catch on fire, to stop, drop to the ground, cover their faces, and roll back and forth until the fire is out.

First-aid tips for burns

If a child’s burn is serious, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately. If the injury is less serious, rinse the injury site with water for 10 minutes. Cover the injury site with sterile gauze and consider taking them to the doctor. Never apply any ointments other than those approved for burns to the site. Do not puncture any blisters that develop.