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This week is Fire Prevention Week (Oct 6-12, 2013), so it’s the perfect time to talk about how to teach your kids about fire safety.

6 Ways to Teach Kids about Fire Safety: 

1. Have a designated meeting place. 

Designate a place outside of your home that you will go to in case of a fire. Maybe the mailbox or a large tree in your yard. Our designated meeting place is at our mailbox at the end of the driveway.

2. Practice.

Kids learn by doing, so do home fire drills. Practice stopping, dropping, and rolling. Explain to your child what he should do if a fire occurs, and then role play.

3. Keep it simple (especially for young children). 

Give your children two or three rules to follow. If you give them too much information, it will be harder for them to remember.

Start with these basic rules:
1. Go outside to our meeting place anytime there is a fire inside.
2. If fire is on your body or clothing, drop to the ground and roll around.
3. Do not play with fire-ever.

4. Repeat yourself. 

In order for your children to remember the basic rules, you have to repeat them. A lot. One great way to do this is to have an at home fire drill on the same day of each month.

5. Take advantage of teachable moments. 

Make fire safety a part of everyday conversations by talking about the hot stove as you cook, the electricity as you plug in the vacuum, etc.

6. Find fun ways to teach your kids.

Call your local fire department and ask for a tour. Show your children your fire extinguisher and smoke alarms and explain how they work.

Let’s talk: What other ways have you taught your children about fire safety?