Fire Safety Tips & Picture For Kids
House fires can be scary for anyone. What matters is swallowing that fear and panic and safely getting out of the home. Teaching children how to do this in a fun and understandable format helps them retain the knowledge when it matters. Giving them pictures to color is a fun activity and another way for the children to retain the message.
Planning a Presentation
Break up your presentation into fire prevention, preparation and application. For the first part, discuss the hazards of playing with matches and lighters. Teach children caution around hot stoves, radiators and heaters; don't stand close to fire or wood stoves. Grown ups should turn off these appliances. Don't play with electrical cords or plug anything in without adult supervision. Make sure kids understand to have an adult with them when they cook in the kitchen. Teach them how to turn off stoves and avoid setting food and pot holders on fire. Don't let children place blankets or clothes over the top of lamps. Print out pictures from kid-friendly websites that reinforce these lessons.
Make a Plan
Children should know what to do when a fire breaks out. Rehearse your escape plan; practice with fires breaking out in different rooms of the house and how you will get around them. Designate an older child or adult who will help young children get out of the house. Plan two routes out of every room, beginning with the door and window. Pick a spot outside for the family to gather in case of fire, such as a familiar tree or the cars in the driveway. Practice the escape plan regularly. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries during the bi-annual time changes. Make sure there is a smoke alarm on every level of your house, including the basement. Smoke rises so the alarms should be mounted high on walls and ceiling.
Make It Practical
Explain the importance behind each of your steps. For example, tell children the batteries are replaced in the fire alarms so that they can wake you up if you're sleeping when the fire starts. When the alarm beeps, follow the escape plan that everyone has been practicing. Reinforce the importance of executing the plan quickly; don't stop for belongings or to save pets. Show children how to test a door before opening it. If it's hot, don't open it. Demonstrate how to stay low to the floor when escaping the fire for the safest breathing. Practice calling 911 for help. Emphasize that no one should go back into the house for anything once they've gathered in the safe spot. Rehearse "stop, drop and roll" for putting out clothing that is on fire. Make sure the children are covering their faces and mouths when they roll.
Planning a Presentation
Break up your presentation into fire prevention, preparation and application. For the first part, discuss the hazards of playing with matches and lighters. Teach children caution around hot stoves, radiators and heaters; don't stand close to fire or wood stoves. Grown ups should turn off these appliances. Don't play with electrical cords or plug anything in without adult supervision. Make sure kids understand to have an adult with them when they cook in the kitchen. Teach them how to turn off stoves and avoid setting food and pot holders on fire. Don't let children place blankets or clothes over the top of lamps. Print out pictures from kid-friendly websites that reinforce these lessons.
Make a Plan
Children should know what to do when a fire breaks out. Rehearse your escape plan; practice with fires breaking out in different rooms of the house and how you will get around them. Designate an older child or adult who will help young children get out of the house. Plan two routes out of every room, beginning with the door and window. Pick a spot outside for the family to gather in case of fire, such as a familiar tree or the cars in the driveway. Practice the escape plan regularly. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries during the bi-annual time changes. Make sure there is a smoke alarm on every level of your house, including the basement. Smoke rises so the alarms should be mounted high on walls and ceiling.
Make It Practical
Explain the importance behind each of your steps. For example, tell children the batteries are replaced in the fire alarms so that they can wake you up if you're sleeping when the fire starts. When the alarm beeps, follow the escape plan that everyone has been practicing. Reinforce the importance of executing the plan quickly; don't stop for belongings or to save pets. Show children how to test a door before opening it. If it's hot, don't open it. Demonstrate how to stay low to the floor when escaping the fire for the safest breathing. Practice calling 911 for help. Emphasize that no one should go back into the house for anything once they've gathered in the safe spot. Rehearse "stop, drop and roll" for putting out clothing that is on fire. Make sure the children are covering their faces and mouths when they roll.
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References
http://www.ehow.com/way_5746799_fire-safety-tips-picture-kids.html
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