Matches Safety for Your Children

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Matches Safety:
How to keep your child
in a fire-safe zone.

My husband and I realized very quickly how important lighter and matches safety were going to be in our house. I love to light beautiful candles throughout my home and my husband loves to barbeque. And, frankly, I love that he loves to barbeque! It’s good to know how you can keep the things you love in your home without endangering your children.

Children should never be allowed
to play with matches or lighters

According to FEMA, “Children playing with matches or lighters are a leading cause of home fires.”

Some children may have a natural curiosity about fire. FEMA reports that many children, while playing with matches or lighters, accidentally set their clothing on fire.

The Stop, Drop (cover your face) and Roll method is still the absolute best thing for them to do.

Lighter and Matches Safety Tips

Put all matches and lighters up high and out of your child’s reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Hold matches away from your body and make sure they are completely out.

It’s a good idea to even run the match under water to make sure it is completely out.

Have only child-resistant lighters in your home

In 1994, it was required of all lighters to be child resistant. According to US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “the amount of injuries and deaths of children as a result of playing with lighters has decreased since… 1994.”

And, even though most lighters today are child-resistant, it‘s still a good idea to keep them away and out of sight of your children.

As your child gets older, they will be able to figure out the child resistant lock and the potential for accidental fires will be much greater.

Don’t forget child-resistant lighters on butane lighters for barbeques, fireplaces, pilot lights, camping equipment, etc.

Set your lighter on the lowest flame possible

Lighter and matches safety are key elements in teaching your children the importance of fire safety. Respecting fire and understanding it’s capabilities are starting points to a fire-safe zone in your home.

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Candle Safety

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Electrical Fires

Fire Escape Plans

Fireplace Safety

Home Fire Safety Checklist

Smoke Detectors

Smoke Detector Placement

Smoke Detector Testing

Smoking Safety