Save Your Curious Child's Life: Teach Them About Fire Safety

One of the most endearing traits of children (and sometimes frustrating!) is their intense thirst for knowledge and spunky curiosity. Though these are both worthy traits, they must be watched and carefully honed by parents in order to ensure the safety of their children. Relating to fires in the home, children ignite approximately 35,000 fires annually, and roughly 400 of those children lose their lives each year due to their curiosity as they play with fire.

So, what should you do as a parent? Begin by teaching your children basic fire safety and prevention practices. Place stress on the fact that fire is dangerous, and that it can kill people; do not be afraid to share the brutal details with your kids…they need to understand the seriousness of fire. Teach your children home fire safety, and talk to them about fire escape plans so they know what to do and where to go in case there is a fire. Go over the escape route with them, and conduct your own fire drills at home.

As a parent, there are certain things you should look for. The most common places where children play with fire are under the bed, in a closet, or under a desk. These are all small spaces that can quickly and easily catch on fire. Regularly check to make sure there aren’t burnt matches or burn marks in any of these places. Many children will get curious and play with matches in such places.

If your child has expressed a particular interest in fire, there are advantageous ways to channel their interest, for you as a parent. Contact your local fire department, and find out if they offer tours. If so, invite your friends and their children to come along for a guided tour of the fire station. This way, children are able to learn about fire safety and fire safety equipment, and they also get to meet "real live firefighters." Your child will get to see the positive side of fires, directly in the people who risk their lives daily to fight fires and keep people safe. It will stress the positive and heroic efforts of firefighters, not the negative and mischievous child who will get in trouble for playing with fire.

Finally, it is simply best to remove temptation. Keep your matches and lighters in a place that your child cannot get to (even better if they don’t know where you keep it), or in a locked cabinet or drawer, if possible. Matches and lighters are fascinating objects, especially to children who want to know and understand how things work. You are helping your child by simply taking the temptation to play with fire away.

Our children are precious to us, and not only do we want them to behave, but most of all we want them to be safe. If we teach our children fire safety, and stress the dangerous nature of fire, more lives of children could be spared each year in the United States. Keep your children safe, and always be aware of what is going on in your home. It could mean the difference between life and death.