Published October 1, 2024
Unfortunately, somewhere in the United States, a house fire just started. And by the time you’re done reading this article, another house fire will have started. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, a house fire starts every 88 seconds. They’re very common, and they can be devastating. But, thankfully, they’re also very preventable. In honor of Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12), this article is all about fire safety and prevention.
Why Fire Prevention is So Important
Fires help you cook and keep you warm. And when they’re safely inside of a fireplace, they can actually be pretty soothing. But if a fire gets out of control, that’s when everything starts to change. Fires can take your life, your family’s lives, and your pets’ lives. They can also destroy your home and your personal property. So, it’s critically important to take fire safety seriously.
Safety Tips
Fires can spread very, very quickly. One person’s tiny mistake can end up being disastrous for everyone around them. That’s why it’s so important to read these tips, share them with your kids, and make sure everyone follows them to a “T.” Because when it comes to fire prevention, we’re only as strong as our weakest link.
- Don’t Ever, Ever Play with Fire – Kids should never, ever play with matches, candles, lighters, Zippos, or Aim n’ Flames. So, teach your kids that all of these items are off limits. Then go the extra mile and keep all of these items locked away. Kids will have a natural curiosity about anything they see the adults using. And you don’t want that curiosity to get the best of them.
- Never Let Your Children Cook Alone – Cooking is fun, it’s a great family activity, and it’s an important skill to learn. But never let your kids cook alone, especially when they’re young. Kitchen fires tend to happen when a heat source is left unattended, some grease catches fire, or clothing gets too close to the flame. So, keep an eye out for all of these common dangers.
- Dispose of Fireworks Properly – Kids love fireworks so much that it doesn’t even have to be the 4th of July to get excited. But it’s really important to remember this; a firework can look like it’s extinguished, while the inside of it is still burning. And then, hours later, it can reignite on its own. So, put all of your used fireworks in a bucket of water and let them soak overnight.
- Get Smoke Alarms – Smoke alarms save lives. So, make sure that you have plenty of smoke alarms in your home, and learn how to use them correctly. The link below has detailed instructions but, in short, you should Install a smoke detector on the ceiling of every level of your home, and make sure they’re tested regularly. Click HERE for more information.
- Be Very Careful with Candles – Many families use scented candles, birthday candles, or mood candles to help with decor and ambience. But explain to your kids that these candles are meant for adults only. They should never use candles while you’re gone. They should never leave a candle unattended. And they should never put a candle near something flammable, like a Kleenex box, or anywhere it could be easily knocked over.
- Teach Your Kids About Appliances – Anything that generates heat can overheat and eventually catch fire. So, teach your kids how to spot the warning signs. Do you see flames inside of the oven? Do you smell something burning inside of the toaster? Is the dryer making a weird sound? Overworking an appliance is dangerous, and so is mechanical failure. Teach your kids to be observant and speak up—“If you see something say something.”
- Use Everything as Intended – Always read the directions of your appliances and gadgets, and use everything as directed. For example, never use your oven to heat up your home. Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord. And never tamper with your water heater to make it go above the suggested guidelines. These guidelines exist for a reason, and the additional strain could lead to a huge disaster.
- Create an Emergency Plan and Do Fire Drills – Teach your kids how to safely exit your home. Show them the emergency exits, and find a safe place to meet outside of the home. You also might want to invest in an escape ladder in case you need to climb out of a window. Having a plan and knowing exactly what to do in an emergency can save lives. Click HERE for more information on how to create your own fire escape plan.
What to Do in an Emergency
According to the Red Cross, you should still teach your kids to “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” safely exit the building, and crawl along the floor if your home starts to fill with smoke. But when is it time to use a fire extinguisher? And when is it time to run? Some of those questions are best answered by the pros. So, have your kids take an age-appropriate fire-safety course. Ask your local fire department or look online for recommendations.
Fires can take lives, destroy homes, and hurt your entire community. But it’s not enough for you to be educated. You also need to share this information with your kids. Teach them how to use appliances safely, supervise them in the kitchen, and make sure that they never, ever play with fire.
Tags: fire prevention, Fire Prevention Week, fire safety