Every year in England, more than 400 children under the age of 11 are injured in accidental fires in the home – many of which are completely avoidable.
Teaching your children the importance of fire safety from a young age is, therefore, imperative, not only because it keeps them safe, but because it will also help ensure your home and belongings won’t go up in smoke any time soon.
Communicating with children can be tricky at the best of times though, so how can you stress the importance of staying safe from fire in an effective manner?
Well, that’s what we’re here to discuss in this article – join us as we run through some of the most important areas to teach your children about fires while highlighting some of the key dangers they will need to watch out for as they grow up.
Understanding Electrics
According to statistics, electrical fires are said to account for an estimated 51,000 fires and 500 deaths each year. As such, it’s imperative for your children to understand how to use electrical appliances in a safe manner.
Children love to investigate, after all, and are often seen sticking their fingers or other objects into plug sockets. So, to encourage them not to do this, investing in a few plug guards is a good port of call.
Likewise, you should make them aware of how important it is to turn their electrical appliances off at night and avoid putting items on top of any lights or heaters they have in their room.
Utilise Technology
Thanks to the rise of the internet over the years, technological advances have come out thick and fast. So, why not utilise some of these advances while teaching your children about fire safety?
Not only are there now a number of apps, interactive websites and videos which can teach fire safety in a more fun format but investing in smart technology like smart plugs could also lower the likelihood of electrical fires taking place.
Many children love playing with apps on their phones or iPads, after all. So, what better way is there to wow them than by showing them how to turn devices on and off than through seemingly magical devices like these.
Make It Interactive
Children love to be kept entertained so, if you’re looking for a unique way to keep them engaged while learning, turning fire safety into an interactive activity can be a great way of doing exactly that.
Whether it be setting up an obstacle course for them to identify the right fire escape in your home, teaching them how to use a child-friendly fire extinguisher, asking them questions about what they’ve learnt or actually taking them into a fire station, encouraging them to interact with you about fire safety in this way could help them retain what they’ve learnt over a longer period.
For further hints and tips on teaching your children the importance of fire safety, our blog is regularly updated with fresh content and useful advice. Alternatively, if you’d like to have your fire sprinkler equipment checked by our team of experts, contact us at your earliest convenience.
Filed under: Advice and Information