Teach your child about fire safety

Teaching your child about fire safety is one of the most important lessons you can impart as a parent.

Fires are a serious threat and can cause significant damage to homes and communities. Unfortunately, household fires are relatively common in South Africa.

According to data from Statistics South Africa, there were approximately 3,900 deaths due to fires in South Africa between 2016 and 2017, with the majority of these deaths occurring in residential areas.

The leading causes of fires in South African homes include electrical faults, cooking accidents, and heating appliances.

It is important for individuals to take steps to prevent fires and ensure that they have functioning smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in their homes.

In the winter months, fires are more common due to the increased use of heating systems and fireplaces. Load shedding further exasperates the issue as many households depend on candles for lighting.

As such, it’s important to educate your child about fire safety to ensure they know how to prevent fires and what to do in the event of one.

Here are some key tips on how to teach your child about fire safety:

1. Start by explaining the risks of fire: Before you dive into the specifics of fire safety, it’s important to explain to your child why fires are dangerous. You can explain how fires can cause harm to people and pets, destroy homes and property, and even lead to death. You don’t need to scare your child, but you should make sure they understand the seriousness of the situation.
2. Teach your child how to prevent fires: One of the best ways to stay safe from fires is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Make sure your child knows not to play with matches or lighters and to stay away from any open flames. Also, be sure to remind your child to turn off any electrical appliances when they’re not in use.
3. Discuss the importance of smoke detectors: Smoke detectors are an essential part of fire safety, and it’s important to teach your child how they work. Make sure your child knows to test the smoke detectors in your home regularly and to replace the batteries when needed. It’s also important to remind your child that they should never tamper with the smoke detectors or remove the batteries.
4. Practice fire drills: Fire drills are a great way to teach your child what to do in the event of a fire. Ensure your child knows the escape routes in your home and how to get out quickly and safely. It’s also important to practice using a fire extinguisher so your child knows how to use it in case of an emergency.
5. Show your child how to call for help: In the event of a fire, it’s important for your child to know how to call for help. Make sure your child knows how to dial 0177, which can be used in the case of a medical emergency and can be called in conjunction with both the fire and police departments respectively, and to provide their name, address, and the nature of the emergency.
6. Role-play different fire scenarios: Finally, it’s important to role-play different fire scenarios with your child so they know what to do in a variety of situations. For example, you can act out a scenario where a fire starts in the kitchen or one where your child is trapped in their bedroom. By role-playing different scenarios, your child will be better prepared to handle a real emergency.

Stop, drop, and roll

If there is a fire, it is important for your child to remember the “stop, drop, and roll” technique. They should stop where they are, drop to the ground, and roll back and forth to smother any flames on their clothes. They should also try to get out of the building as quickly as possible and alert others to do the same. If they are unable to escape, they should go to a window and try to signal for help.