Lifestyle
Fire safety tips every child must know
Teach children how to prevent a fire from starting and what to do if it happens.
![Girl playing with matches. Dangerous situation at home. A small child plays with matches, a fire, a fire flares up, danger, child and matches, lucifer match](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/112/2022/06/girl-playing-with-matches-dangerous-situation-at-home-a-small-child-plays-with-matches-a-fire-a-fire-flares-up-danger-child-and-matches-lucifer-match-780x470.jpg)
It is right up there on every parent’s list of worst fears for their child – fire. Teach your children from a young age what to do to prevent a fire, how to act if they are near one and what to do if they get into contact with the flames with these tips from Melcura:
- Preventing a fire:
- Avoid smoking​ indoors.
- Do not leave food cooking on the stove unattended.
- Make sure to switch off the oven or stove when you are done cooking.
- Lock up flammable liquids in the home. It is best to store them outside the home, out of children’s reach, and away from heat or ignition sources.
- What to do if the house is on fire:
- Teach your children to crawl to the exits if there’s smoke in the room, as they will avoid inhaling the smoke if they stay below it.
- Purchase a safety ladder if your home has a second story and teach your children how to use it. If you live in a high-rise building, teach your children the locations of all exits and make sure they understand never to use the elevator in a fire. It can become trapped between floors or open on a floor where the fire is burning.
- Agree on a family meeting point outside the house or apartment so you can make certain everyone has gotten out of the burning area.
- How to react if your clothes are on fire:
If your child comes into contact with the flames and their clothes catch on fire, teach them to stop, drop, and roll! Cool and call:
- Stop, do not run.
- Drop to the ground right where you are.
- Roll over and over to put out the flames while covering your face with your hands.  Â
- Cool the burned area with water.
- Call for help immediately.