Some Facts to Introduce Fire Safety to Children
• Fires need three things to get started and burn: Oxygen, fuel and a heat source to ignite the fuel.
• Many children know that fire is hot and can hurt them. But smoke can be equally harmful. Breathing smoke makes people very sick and can even kill them.
• Smoke from a fire spreads quickly and can be extremely hazardous. Most people harmed in fires suffer from injuries related to the smoke or toxic gases they inhale, rather than from being burned by the fire itself.
Some Facts for Teachers to Note About Fire Safety
• Children “playing” with fire start 40,000 home fires every year.
• Every 20 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the U.S.
• Four out of five U.S. fire fatalities in 2005 occurred in homes.
Smoke Alarms: Children should learn the importance of working smoke alarmsSupporting Information
• A smoke alarm is one of the most effective ways to reduce fire related injuries.
• About 20 percent, or one out of five homes, do not have a working smoke alarm in place.1
• Most fatal fires occur in homes without a working smoke alarm.
• A smoke alarm “sniffs” for smoke and sounds an alarm.
• Every house and apartment must have at least one smoke alarm.
• There should be an alarm on every level of the home especially outside the bedrooms.2
• Adults should test the smoke alarms each month.
• Smoke alarm batteries must be replaced on a regular basis. They should never be removed for any purpose except replacement.
Activities
Activity #1
Bring in a new battery powered smoke alarm. In an open area like the gymnasium or a playground, demonstrate what the alarm sounds like by pushing the test button.
Activity #2
Select a day for children to check on the number and location of fire alarms in their home. For homework, ask each child to write down the results in their notebook, and have a parent or guardian verify the information with their signature.
INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BY HARTFORD INSURANCE COMPANY.