How to Approach Fire Safety With Your Children | SERVPRO of Allen

6/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Allen is here for you and your family if you experience a fire in your home or business.

Keeping your kids safe often feels like a full-time job! Many kids are naturally curious about the world, and it can be fun but also a delicate balance between teaching them about the realities of the world and scaring them with the facts.

Fire safety is a crucial lesson for your children, but even you know that fire can be scary—and you are an adult!

By slowly introducing fire safety concepts in a relaxed and encouraging environment, you can prepare your kids for the possibility of a house fire while also giving them the tools they need to stay safe.

<h3fire-safety-around-the-home">Introducing Fire Safety Around the Home

Kids often learn through hands-on experiences, but you certainly don’t want to just be starting fires all over your home. Start with the basics and explain the different areas of your home where fire is often used, like your stove, bonfire pit and your candles. Explain how it spreads and what it needs to grow, and discuss how quickly a single spark can lead to a big fire.

This is also the time to explain that adults are responsible for tools like matches and lighters. While these items are necessary to have around the home, they can be dangerous in the hands of a small child. Encourage them to leave these items alone and to tell an adult if a match or lighter is left around the house.

<h3and-listening-to-authority">Understanding and Listening to Authority

Many kids want to grow up and become a firefighter or police officer, but many of these kids are also shy around authority. This is especially true if the men and women they interact with are in their full uniforms and gear. Try to show your kids pictures, videos and books about firefighters so they understand what they look like when one of them comes into your home.

You should also try to attend a local meet-and-greet opportunity when you can! If your children can meet your local fire crew now, it increases their chances of responding appropriately in the event of a true emergency. It is also crucial that your kids feel comfortable calling out their names and crawling to safety. Practice this by making it a game! See who can yell the loudest from their rooms and army crawl to an exit the fastest.

<h3your-exit-strategy">Making Your Exit Strategy

Every home in the Allen area should have an emergency exit plan. If you haven’t done this yet, grab your kids and have some fun! Challenge them to find every way out of your room and write down their findings together onto a diagram of your house.

It is also important to have a safety conversation about the windows in your home. While using them as an exit can save lives, it can also be dangerous knowledge for a child. Be sure to explain that windows are used in an emergency situation only and should never be used for fun.

Once you have your plan finalized, put it all together! Practice a fire scenario at least twice a year and go all the way through from the initial fire escape to meeting outside on the safety of the lawn.

Fires can cause widespread damage. Call us for a thorough and efficient restoration.