Does your child know what to do in the event of a fire?
Each year, hundreds of Australian children are affected by house fires, often resulting in serious injuries or worse. As such, don’t leave your child at risk – it’s worth proactively educating them about fire safety so they know what to do if something happens. Here are some important points to guide you in teaching your children about staying safe if a fire breaks out.
Help Them Recognise Alarms
Smoke and fire alarms are often your first and most vital defence against any instances of fire. They allow anyone nearby to locate and put out the fire or get out before it spreads out of control. It is a requirement for all Australian homes to have at least a working smoke alarm, such as the Lifesaver smoke alarms.
Do your children know what an alarm sounds like and what to do if they hear it? Smoke alarms may beep insistently, while fire alarms may sound like ringing bells or sirens and be accompanied by evacuation announcements. Either way, make sure your child knows what those sounds mean and what to do if they hear them.
Teach Them the Emergency Number – 000
Many children are exposed to American media where ‘911’ is often highlighted as the emergency number. However, in Australia, the correct emergency number is actually ‘000’. This can be confusing for children, especially younger ones. Teach them ‘000’ early and make sure they know it. You can quiz them regularly to ensure they remember 000 in case of an emergency.
Get Down Low and Go Go Go
Smoke inhalation can cause more deaths and injuries than the flames themselves. The best way to protect your lungs from dangerous smoke during a fire is to get low to the ground while you find an exit.
Rather than diving into a detailed explanation, teach your kids the easy-to-remember phrase: “Get Down Low and Go Go Go”. Practise the routine together, saying it out loud as you crawl to the nearest exit. You can even manually set off your PSA smoke alarm to make the drill more realistic.
Stop, Drop, and Roll
While smoke inhalation is the biggest threat, teaching your kids what to do if their clothes are on fire is essential. “Stop, Drop, and Roll” is the fire safety motto of choice worldwide, as the memorable rhyme outlines precisely what you need to do.
This is another good one to practise together as a family. One parent could yell out “fire”, and then the whole family hits the ground to roll around. Mix it up with a call of “smoke” to practice “Get Down Low and Go Go Go”.
Don’t Hide, Go Outside
Another helpful rhyme, “Don’t Hide, Go Outside”, teaches kids to leave the house quickly in case of fire. Young children tend to hide when they’re scared, but there’s no hiding from a fire. Practise this alongside “Get Down Low and Go Go Go” by crawling with your kids to a safe spot outside. Be sure to show them how to choose the safest route, avoiding areas with flames or heavy smoke.
Stress the Importance of Staying Outside
Once they’ve made it outside, children must understand the importance of staying there.
Even if a family member or pet is still inside, they should wait at a safe distance away and get help. Teach them to call 000 if they have a mobile phone, or to ask a neighbour for help. Children might be tempted to rush back inside for a beloved pet or toy, but it’s never safe to go back once you’ve escaped. Make sure they understand this rule is non-negotiable.
Steer Clear of Heaters
As the weather cools and winter arrives, house fires become more common, often due to heaters. Besides keeping a close eye on warmth-emitting appliances, parents must also teach kids to keep toys away from heaters. Plush toys are a notorious offender, as these highly flammable synthetic animals can be set on fire in moments.
Say No to Open Flames
Children need to be taught from an early age that matches, lighters and anything that can create an open flame is dangerous without supervision.
Encourage them to tell an adult if they find matches or a lighter, even if it means telling on their siblings. Reassure them that it’s not about getting anyone in trouble, but about keeping everyone safe.
However, prevention is always better than cure. Make sure to keep your matches and lighters well out of reach of your children. If you have an older or curious child, just putting them on a high shelf may not be enough. Consider getting a lockable box for extra safety.
Create a Bushfire Emergency Plan
The devastating 2019/2020 bushfire season showed us that no one is immune to the threat of bushfires. Whether you live in a rural or suburban area, it’s essential to have a bushfire or at least a fire escape plan in place. Involve your kids in the planning process, as their participation could be life-saving during an emergency.
A good bushfire plan includes:
- Discussing what to do in a bushfire emergency.
- Preparing your home for bushfire season.
- Understanding the different bushfire alert levels.
- Monitoring local media or using your state’s bushfire alert app.
For detailed advice, visit your state’s fire service website.
Ensure Your Home Is Equipped for Fire Safety
While educating your children on fire safety is essential, installing adequate fire safety equipment to protect the home is equally important.
PSA Products is Australia’s leading fire alarm supplier, offering a wide range of fire alarms Australia needs to stay safe, including Lifesaver smoke alarms and other wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. These fire alarm systems are designed to provide fast, accurate detection, giving your family the precious time to escape safely. If you have any enquiries, feel free to contact our team today!