It Begins at Home

Fire Safety for Preschoolers

By Felicia Hodges

Did you know that a small grease fire in your kitchen can turn into a raging inferno within seconds?

Fires kill more Americans every year than floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes combined, according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System. Would you know what to do if a kitchen fire got out of control or if your smoke detector sounded in the middle of the night? Would your preschooler? When should parents start teaching their youngsters what to do if a fire breaks out in the house?

"There have been a lot of studies done on teaching fire safety to young children, and basically we found that children below the age of 3 have difficulty understanding abstract concepts like fire prevention or 'what if' scenarios," says William Wiseman, a New York State Fire Investigator. "Although they might not understand or be able to digest all that you tell them, things like the importance of the smoke detector's alarm can still be taught to them."

Wiseman says it is also important to let young children know that fire is dangerous. "Children are taught about not touching the oven or stove as soon as they are able to walk. They learn that hot things can and do hurt."

Still, Wiseman says that more detailed fire safety lessons aren't really recommended until the child is at least 4 to 5 years old.

Wiseman suggests that fire safety, like almost any other important safety lesson, begin in the home.

"Start by familiarizing young children with the sound of the smoke detector and instructing them on what to do if it goes off," he says. "You should also teach them what to do if they start a fire accidentally and show them how to stop, drop and roll if their clothes catch fire."

Most importantly, Wiseman says you should teach them never to play with matches, lighters or any flame-producing equipment. It might also be helpful to not use any such products in your preschooler's presence.

"Kids are naturally curious at that age and they like to mimic what they see adults do. They are highly imitative," he says. So, if you must light the grill or strike a match to your oven's pilot light, either wait to your preschooler leaves the area or send him or her to do something else.

Want to see more?

• Fire Safety Training: A Lesson for Life
• Teaching Your Children the Dangers of Strangers
• Home, Safe Home
• Safety and Hazards Quiz