Fire and burn prevention
The smell of the grill and the sweet aroma from fresh baked cookies are hard to resist for adults and children alike. However, without proper supervision these memorable moments can quickly take a tragic turn. It is important that we are all careful and educated when it comes to fire safety. Here are a few simple steps that can keep your little chef safe from potential burns, whether in the kitchen or around the house.
The hard facts
Every day, at least one child dies from a home fire. One of the leading causes of residential fire deaths and injuries for children under the age of 10 is playing with a heat source, which includes lighters and matches. From these incidents, children under age 10 account for 93 percent of deaths and 38 percent of injuries. Open flames are not the only things that can cause injury. Kitchen equipment, food and drinks account for more than half of all scald and burn injuries.
- Working smoke detectors reduce the chance of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent. Having smoke detectors is a critical first step in fire safety and should be tested once a month to ensure they are working properly.
- Create a house fire escape plan with two exits, practice it with your children and designate a meeting place safely outside your house. Get a stopwatch and time how fast your family can escape. It is important that children have a routine just in case of such an emergency.
- Teach your children how to respond to a fire alarm. Show them how to get low and get out when they hear it. A child who has been taught properly and practiced, will have a better chance to be safe.
- Educate your children about fire. Show them that fire is not a toy but a tool to be used properly and safely.
- While cooking, do not hold a child so you can devote your full attention to the task at hand. Instead, bring in a high chair to watch them or put up a gate, depending on the age of the child, to keep them away from the stove and sharp objects.
- Kids love to reach and grab, to prevent hot foods or liquids from falling, place pans and pots on the back burners with the handles turned away from the edge.
To learn more about fire safety and preventing burns and scalds, check out our flyers and videos below:
Burns and Fire Safety Fact Sheet (PDF, 111 KB)
Burn and Scald Prevention Tips (PDF, 326 KB)
Cooking Safety, A Checklist for Parents (PDF, 189 KB)
Fire Escape Planning (PDF, 453 KB)
Fire Escape Map – English (PDF, 79 KB)
Fire Escape Map – Spanish (PDF, 79 KB)
Fire Safety Infographic (PDF, 113 KB)
Fire Safety Banner (PDF, 820 KB)
Fire Safety Tips (PDF, 339 KB)
Fireworks Safety Tips
Plan and Practice Tips – English (PDF, 53 KB)
Plan and Practice Tips – Spanish (PDF, 52 KB)
Smoke Alarms At Home – English (PDF, 171 KB)
Smoke Alarms At Home – Spanish (PDF, 155 KB)
Produce, plan and practice home fire drills
Fun way to educate children about hot hazards