Fire safety education is the best way to reduce risks for kids – and it doesn’t have to be dull! Kids learn best through play, so why not make fire safety an adventure?
Studies show that interactive elements like quizzes, simulations, and games shift kids from passive listeners to active participants in learning, Brooks Australia says.
So the company is sharing some fun ways to teach kids about fire safety.
– Turn them into ‘fire safety superheroes’ with a ‘super checklist’.
They can search for potential fire hazards around the house, like overloaded power boards or unattended candles.
With each discovery, encourage them to share their findings and discuss why these could be risky to earn a badge or sticker.
– Turn fire drills into an obstacle course ‘great escape’ challenge.
Children can practice crawling under smoke made from streamers or identifying safe exits, with a certificate awaiting them at the finish line.
This can help them react quickly and calmly in case of a real emergency.
Involve children in creating a family fire escape plan.
Through both planning and fire safety drills, appropriate behaviour is reinforced, such as alerting an adult to the alarm or fire, evacuation, going to a pre-arranged safe place, and calling emergency services.
– Interactive activities like puppet shows are also a great way to make fire safety memorable. Puppets can act out scenarios, such as teaching ‘stop, drop, and roll’ or responding to a smoke alarm.
Children can take turns to create their own stories to help retain information.
This can also be a great way to explain the purpose of smoke alarms and why these are crucial for early detection of fires, while also teaching children how to recognise the sound of the smoke alarm and what actions to take when they hear it.
– Create flashcards featuring common kitchen appliances and corresponding safety tips, like keeping paper towels away from the toaster or not using metal in the microwave.
Kids can match the cards to the appliances in the kitchen, learning safety rules as they play.
Visit brooks.com.au for more fire safety resources.
