St Aidens- Fire Safety

Fire Prevention Week occurs in October -- but any time of the year is a good time to teach
your students about fire safety. International Firefighters' Day is observed in May. Each year
in the United States an estimated 2,800 children age 14 or younger are injured and 850
killed in residential fires. Of these children, over 40 percent are under the age five, 70
percent are under the age of 10. Because the majority of fire casualties occur in children
under the age of 10, the lessons and activities in this site are targeted towards that age
group and inspired by the USFA ~ With thanks.

Fire Theme Printables for Early Learners ~ Click Here

Use the following fire safety and prevention information to lead discussions and Control
Kids' Access to Fire

Keep all matches and lighters out of the hands of children. If possible, keep these
sources of fire in locked drawers. Consider buying only "child-proof" lighters -- but be
aware that no product is completely child-proof.
Children as young as two years old can strike matches and start fires.
Never leave children unattended near operating stoves or burning candles, even for
a short time.
Teach children not to pick up matches or lighters they may find. Instead, they should
tell an adult immediately.

Fire Safety at Home

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, especially near
sleeping areas.
Smoke alarms should be kept clean of dust by regularly vacuuming over and around
them.
Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. And replace the entire unit
after ten years of service, or as the manufacturer recommends.
Families should plan and practise two escape routes from each room of their home.
Regularly inspect the home for fire hazards.
If there are adults in the home who smoke, they should use heavy safety ashtrays
and discard ashes and butts in metal, sealed containers or the toilet.
If there is a fireplace in the home, the entire opening should be covered by a heavy
safety screen. The chimney should be professionally inspected and cleaned
annually.
Children should cook only under the supervision of an adult or with their permission.
Children should never play with electrical cords or electrical sockets. They should
ask adults for help plugging in equipment.
Children should stay away from radiators and heaters, and they should be taught
that these devices are not toys. Young children in particular must be taught not to
play with or drop anything into space heaters. Nothing should be placed or stored on
top of a heater.
Pots on stove tops should always have their handles turned toward the centre of the
stove, where children cannot reach up and pull or knock them off.
Teach children to turn off lights, stereos, televisions, and other electrical equipment
when they are finished using them. In the case of room heaters, children should ask
an adult to turn it off when the room will be empty.
Children should never touch matches, lighters, or candles. If they find matches or
lighters within reach, they should ask an adult to move them
No one should stand too close to a fireplace or wood stove or other types of heaters,
where clothes could easily catch fire.

Warning Signs

Evidence of fire play, such as burnt matches, clothes, paper, toys, etc., or if you smell
smoke in hair or clothes.
Inappropriate interest in firefighters and/or fire trucks, such as frequent, improper
calls to the fire department or 9-1-1.
Child asks or tries to light cigarettes or candles for you or other adults.
Matches or lighters in their pockets or rooms.

Control Curiosity

Talk to your child or students in a calm, assured manner about fire safety.
Consider visiting a fire station if children are very interested in firefighting and/or fire
trucks or ask a firefighter to visit your classroom. Have the firefighter talk about
his/her job and the dangers of fire.
For parents: Create opportunities for learning about fire safety at home. For example,
when you cook, let your child get the pot holder for you; when you use the fireplace,
let your child bring you the wood or tools; if you use candles, let the child check to
make sure the candle holder fits snugly; and when you change or test the batteries in
your smoke alarms, ask the child to help you.

What to do if you Suspect your Student/Child is Playing with Fire?

Talk to the child about his or her actions. Explain again that fire is a tool for use only
by adults, and that it is very dangerous for children.
Many schools, fire departments and law enforcement agencies have programs for
children who are inappropriately interested in fire or who have set fires.

Resources, Printable Activities & Downloads

Kids Corner - Fire Activities & Games US Govt

Fire & Home Safety Plans & Advice

First Aid Kits

Colour Book PDF

Lesson Plans

FA Fire Safety Activity Book for Little People PDF

Home eBooks Audio Books Lit Arts Language Pre-K Free ESL Resources Online Games Book of the Day Game of the Day

Alphabet Animals Colour & Concepts Family Numbers Nursery Rhymes Story Time Puzzles Scrapbooking Crafts Disney

Fire Safety

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

2009 Educator's Calendar
2008 Educator's Calendar
2007 Educator's Calendar

Fire Main
Lesson Plans
For Teachers
Activities
Printables

154 Pages packed full of Lesson Plans,
parent/educator resources, fun and
educational activities sure to delight any
child. Click to preview.