FIRE! HELP! : Here’s What Every Parent Needs to Know to Keep Their Kids Safe from Fires!
Just this week on 23rd April, the heartbreaking incident of Ninik Yanuwati’s demise in a fire while trying to save her children and mother-in-law serves as an important reminder of the importance of educating children about fire safety. As parents, we cannot stress enough the significance of instilling these crucial lessons in our little ones.
And when it comes to our precious little ones, the danger is even greater. Let’s face it, children aren’t exactly fire experts – they’re more interested in playing with their toys and having fun than thinking about escape routes and smoke alarms (probably even adults would not know what to do).
But that’s exactly why it’s so important to teach our children about fire safety in a fun and engaging way. By making it interesting and exciting, we can ensure that they absorb the information and are well prepared in case of an emergency. So, let’s grab our fire hats and get to work – because there’s nothing more important than keeping our little ones safe!
Create a fire escape plan: Make a map of your house and draw escape routes with your kids. Make sure they understand that they should never use the elevator during a fire. Have them practice their escape plan a few times so they feel comfortable with it.
Use visual aids: Children often respond well to visual aids, so consider creating a poster or a drawing that illustrates fire safety tips, such as “stop, drop, and roll” or “get low and go.” Hang it up in their room or near the fire escape plan.
Play dress-up: Have your kids dress up in firefighter gear (you can buy or make it) and play “firefighter and rescue” games. Teach them how to crawl low under smoke, check for hot doors, and use a fire extinguisher (if age-appropriate). This will not only be a fun activity, but also help them remember important fire safety tips.
Tell stories: Children love stories, so use that to your advantage by telling them stories that emphasize fire safety. For example, tell them about a family that had a fire in their house but escaped safely because they had a plan and practiced it.
Make it a game: Set up a “fire drill” in your house and time your kids as they practice escaping. See if they can beat their previous time. Offer prizes for good performance, such as a favorite snack or an extra story before bed.
Remember, teaching fire safety to your kids is a serious matter, but it doesn’t have to be boring or scary. By using these fun and practical ideas, you can help your children learn important fire safety tips and be prepared in case of an emergency. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Written by:
Sabrina Fauzan
