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Fire and children

Fire is one of the most common causes of accidental injury and death among children. They are naturally drawn to the warmth and light of fire, but without proper guidance this can turn into a dangerous fascination. The following tips will help keep your children out of harm's way.

Talking to your children about fire

Fireworks and your child

Watch videos about enjoying fireworks safely on the Cross & Stitch YouTube channel

• Watch videos about fireworks safety on YouTube Opens new window

Give children under five clear instructions of what they should and shouldn’t do. With older children, it’s better to also explain why. You will probably need to talk about fire safety more than once, to make sure they have remembered and understood what you have taught them. Tell them:

• to tell a grown-up if they see matches or lighters lying around
• never to play with matches, lighters or lighted candles
• never to play, or leave toys, close to a fire or heater
• not to put things on top of heaters or lights
• not to pull on electric cables or fiddle with electrical appliances or sockets
• never to switch on the cooker or put anything on top of it
• never to touch any saucepans on the cooker

• Watch videos about fireworks safety on YouTube Opens new window

Fire instructions for children

It's important to talk through with children what to do if there's a fire – don't avoid it for fear of frightening them. Children need to know how to react, as there may not be an adult around to tell them what to do if a fire happens. Here are the basic instructions to give to your children:

• if they see smoke or flames, they should tell someone straight away – a grown-up if possible
• get out of the building as soon as possible
• never go back into the building for anything
• never hide in a cupboard or under a bed – get out of the house and call for help straight away
• find a phone and call 999, and ask for the fire and rescue service – give the address of the fire slowly and calmly
• make sure that children know their address so they can raise the alarm

• What to do if there's a fire (home and community section)

Know your escape route

Plan an escape route and make sure that everyone in the house is familiar with it, including children, childminders and babysitters. Keep all exits clear and practise the escape plan with children.

• Planning a safe escape (home and community section)

Make your home safe for children

Here are some measures you can take in your home to make sure your children stay safe:

• Fire safety in the home - find out more (home and community section)

Plug socket covers

It is very difficult for a child to get an electric shock by playing with a socket, so you shouldn't need to use socket covers. However, in some instances they may stop young children plugging in heaters or other appliances that could cause burns or start a fire. You should not rely on socket covers as they are not regulated for safety. It's much better to make sure appliances are safely put away.

Useful contacts

• Parents contacts