Fire Safety Training: Tips and Guidelines for Children

According to United States Fire Administration, children aged 5 or below are at a greater risk in case of fire outbreak. The fact that this age group constitutes 12 percent of the total deaths due to fire aptly backs the fire administration's statement. Most often in a home, a fire is likely to start in places where children are left alone to play - like a bedroom or a living room. It's very important to educate children about the possible dangers of a fire and the basics of fire safety.

Precautions to be taken to ensure kids are safe

• Dangerous objects should be kept away from their reach.
• Inflammable liquids such as gasoline or ethyl should be kept out of their reach.
• Matches and lighters are not toys, hence avoid letting children play with them.
• Make sure that loose clothes are not worn by you or your child when in the kitchen.
• If the kids are present in the kitchen, make sure they have some adult accompanying them.
• Do not allow them to use electrical appliances such as a heater or a geyser on their own. They need to be assisted by an adult member of the family for such things.
• Do not let them play with electrical chords or sockets.
• Make sure they don't remove the battery from the smoke alarm or tamper with it.
• Basically whenever kids are dealing with any combustible substances, make sure that some adult is accompanying them throughout.

Some tips to be given to kids in case of a fire

• The first and foremost thing, avoid panicking.
• Make sure you leave the house as soon as you can, instead of searching for things.
• Hiding below the bed or in the closet is not a good idea during a fire outbreak.
• If the room is filled with smoke, get down on the ground. Being closer to the floor makes breathing much easier.
• Before trying to open the door and running out of the room, check the door by touching it. If it's too hot don't try to open it.
• If you can't escape through the door, look out for some other option like the window.
• Once out, never enter the house again to get something.
• As soon as you are at some safe place call 911 or the fire department.

Some tips to be given if clothes catch fire

• Don't try to run, stop where you are, running around will only spread flames.
• Drop on the ground and try to extinguish the fire by rolling on the ground.
• Your face and mouth should be covered with your hands.
• A thick blanket or a towel can be used to put flames off.

As we mentioned earlier, it's the duty of the parents to educate kids about the hazards of a fire and how to be safe from it. One can understand children being inquisitive about flames, but once they realize how dangerous these flames can get, they will themselves take the necessary precautions.