Children & Fire Safety

2/6/2019 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Universal City / St. Hedwig, we believe that is important for children to know what to do when a fire occurs.

1. Go to a firefighter in an emergency. Young children may be scared the first time they see a firefighter in full gear. Explain to children:

• What firefighters wear and why.
• How a firefighter can help if there is a fire..

2. Crawl low under smoke.

• Tell children that some fires make lots of smoke, which is dangerous to breathe.
• Show them the safe way to respond when a room fills with smoke: get down on your hands and knees, keep your head up, and crawl outside.
• Ask children to practice with you.  Lead them in crawling across the room with their heads up. Repeat frequently to help children remember this important safety strategy.

3. Stop, drop, and roll. When children’s clothes catch fire, their first reaction may be to run. This can make the fire spread faster. Show children the safest way to respond:  

• Stop, cover your face, get down on the ground, and roll from side to side until you smother the fire.
• Ask children to practice with you a few times and then split them into pairs. Children can take turns demonstrating to their partners. Repeat frequently to help children learn to stop, drop, and roll automatically.

4. Tell a grown-up.Tell children that matches and lighters are tools that only adults use.

• Tell children that they should not play with or even touch these materials.
• Explain that if they find a match or lighter, they should tell a grown-up immediately.
• Role-play with children in small groups about what to do when they find these types of materials.

Visit www.playsafebesafe.com to learn about the play safe! be safe! program workshops, access free activities for children, and order a low-cost multimedia kit that includes a teacher manual and a DVD with fire-safety lessons.

For more information, visit: https://www.teachervision.com/emergency/teacher-resources/47554.html