To a child, a fire may look warm, cozy, inviting, exciting, and much more. What happens when you don’t teach your kids about fireplace safety? Your children could severely harm themselves, others, or your material belongings when they do not understand how to behave around an active fire. This guide gives essential tips to explain to your children how to be safe near a fireplace—take a look at the advice below.
Set the Example
One of the best ways your children can learn is by watching how you behave around the fireplace. If you’re setting a good example for your kids, they will likely follow in your footsteps. Ensure you practice the proper fireplace safety rules for homeowners to be an excellent role model for your children.
Explain the Consequences of Getting Too Close to a Fire
For children, the fire appears to be an interesting display that looks fun to touch. However, they might not understand the consequences of their actions, like burning their hands or clothes. Explain to your children why they need to stay away from the fire and why they should never reach inside the hearth regardless of whether there is a fire. Teaching your kids to be cautious around fires can prevent injuries and accidents.
Never Leave the Fire Unattended
When you’re burning a fire in the hearth, never leave your child alone and unattended. If you need to leave the room even for a minute, take your kids with you. You might not think anything could happen, but children can be curious, and without supervision, they might do something dangerous. Always stay in the room with your kids and keep a watchful eye on them to ensure they are not doing something they shouldn’t do around the fire.
Teach Them Never To Touch Fire Accessories and Lighters
Fireplace accessories such as pokers, lighters, and matches can all be dangerous for a child to play with. Teach your older children never to play with fire accessories. It’s best if you leave these items out of the reach of your smaller children, so they aren’t tempted to grab them and play with them.
Come Up With an Escape Plan
When you have a fireplace, you must have an escape plan just in case a fire spreads to your home. Your children should also know this plan, so they understand what to do in an emergency. Consider teaching them how to stay close to the ground, feel doors and doorknobs for heat, and go to a meeting place outside when they escape. Teaching your kids about fireplace safety is crucial when you need an escape plan because it could save their lives in the event a house fire occurs.
If you worry about your children’s safety near the fireplace, it’s best to teach them how to behave around it to prevent unwanted injuries and accidents. Remember to use the tips above when explaining safety to your kids, and always have an escape plan in place, even if you never use it! Children are inquisitive and adventurous; stop a catastrophe from happening by educating them on the importance of safety.