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Child fire safety is one the most important things to think about as a parent. It was the first thing my husband and I wanted to focus on in terms of baby proofing and making our home as safe as possible for our children.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “deaths from fires and burns are the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States and the third leading cause of fatal home injury.”The CDC also concluded that children ages 4 and under are considered to be at an increased risk for fire related injuries or death.
Child Fire Safety Tips
- 1. Install Smoke Detectors
 Smoke detectors should be throughout your home. Approximately half of home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms.
Click here for information on the different types of smoke detectors. Also, knowing proper smoke alarm placement can determine whether or not your family will hear the alarm during a fire. Monthly smoke detector testing will ensure your smoke alarm is not only working, but a familiar sound for your children.
- 2. Make Fire Escape Plans
 An essential part of child fire safety is to create a fire escape plan for your family. This will increase your chances of surviving a fire by getting your family out safely.
**The key is to practice the plan.**
Click here to learn how to make fire escape plans for your children.
- 3. Focus on Fireplace Safety
 Accidents can so easily happen around fireplaces.
But, these accidents are almost always preventable.
From gates to guards, fireplace safety is easily manageable and well worth the effort to prevent injury or an out-of-control fire.
- 4. Prevent Kitchen Fires
The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms of the house. So much activity goes on there. Not only do you prepare meals and, most likely, eat in the kitchen, but it's the room of the house, that for some reason, everyone gathers to talk and hang out in. With all that goes on in the kitchen, it is very easy to forget your child is in there with you. Or you might be so focused on getting dinner ready that simple accidents can happen and before you know it, a terrible, fast growing fire has broken out. Your attention in the kitchen must be high. Find out how to prevent kitchen fires and what to do if you have one.
- 5. Keep Burning Candles Up and Away From Children
An essential part of child fire safety is knowing that sometimes fires can start from situations that you may not have thought were unsafe like the candles you keep in your living room or bedroom. Candle safety is easy to forget about because we don’t really think anything is going to happen. The National Candle Association estimated that 18,000 candle fires are reported annually and “according to fire experts, the bulk of candle-fire incidents are due to consumer inattention to basic fire safety or to the misuse of candles.“ Click here for more information on candle safety in your home.
- 6. Remove All Cigarettes, Lighters, Matches, etc Associated with Smoking
Smoking is another situation that many people tend to overlook as a serious potential fire hazard. But, according to the CDC, “smoking is the leading cause of fire-related deaths.” Click here to learn more about smoking safety.  Even if you don't smoke, there are many times you will need to use matches or lighters in your home. Click here for lighter and matches safety tips.
- 7. Baby Proof All Space Heaters or Other Electrical Appliances To Avoid Electrical Fires
- If you want to put a space heater in your child’s room, especially during the winter or if your child‘s room gets cold, you'll want to know the safest way to keep your child warm.
Click here for important space heater safety tips. Click here for more information on electrical fires and tips from The National Fire Protection Association.
 - 8. Have Fire Extinguishes Throughout Your Home
Follow the instructions of each of your fire extinguishers for proper use and placement.
- 9. Keep Emergency Numbers Visible and Accessible
If you are in an area that has 911, be sure your phone company provides that service. If 911 is not in your area, have your local fire department's number easily accessible in your home. Also, have all emergency numbers programmed into your home phones and your cell phones.
Because fires are scary and frightening, especially for your child, it’s important to take the time to find out the facts that help keep you and your family the safest.
Knowing the key facts about child fire safety will give you confidence that you are doing the most you can to protect your child.
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Related Articles
Candle SafetyElectrical Fires Fire Escape Plans Fireplace Safety Home Fire Safety Checklist Kitchen Fires Matches Safety Smoke Detectors Smoke Detector Placement Smoke Detector Testing Smoking Safety Space Heater Safety
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