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March is Fire Prevention Month, and it is very important that our children understand the importance of fire safety. As a parent, it is our responsibility to teach them what to do in the event of a fire emergency at home.
Teaching kids about fire safety does not need to be complicated. Here are some tips to guide you:
Keep Your Instructions Simple and Easy to Understand.
Depending on the age and level of understanding of your child, make sure that your instructions are clear and that they are easily understood. Use simple words and talk in a calm manner. This will help them gain confidence to execute the steps when necessary.
Teach them about the “Stop, Drop and Roll” method and ensure that you have an emergency route or map that they can follow in case of an emergency.
Fire Safety Equipment Familiarization
Teach them how to use an escape ladder, how to operate a fire extinguisher, and how to use or open an emergency exit. Ask them to show you how to do these things. Remember that some kids are kinesthetic learners and retain information better if you let them execute things.
Evacuation Should be a Priority
Make sure that your children fully understand the importance of evacuation. Their safety is more important than material things. They need to save themselves first as everything else can be replaced.
Map Your Escape Route
Map an emergency route and practice using it. Ensure that they fully understood your instructions by conducting a simulation. Show them how to calmly evacuate and then ask them to do it. This way, they become more confident and less likely to panic should there be a fire emergency because they know where to go and what to do.
Review!
Do not be complacent because kids can easily forget things. Randomly ask them fire safety questions once in a while as a review to make sure they never forget. This practice helps ensure retention of information.
Protect Your Family
A fire emergency can be scary, but it doesn’t mean we can’t be prepared. No one knows when an emergency will happen but having safety practices in place at home, can greatly help.
Speaking of preparedness, it is important that your house and properties are covered in insurance. Having that peace of mind that you will be taken care of in an event of a fire at home is priceless. Check non-life insurance Philippines coverage and plans and look for one that goes beyond direct loss or damage caused by fire. Fire insurance can be extended to cover loss or damaged caused by flood, smoke damage, earthquake, and many more.

Aside from taking about what to do when there is a fire, it’s important that the kids know how to avoid starting a fire. Then need to know what’s a safe play from what’s a fire hazard. Teach them how to avoid starting fires at home to keep themselves and everyone in the family safe.
Lastly, do not underestimate a child’s capacity to learn, even 5 year-old kids are capable of learning about fire safety. What’s important is that they learn how to stay safe and how to respond to fire emergencies if necessary.
A family lifestyle blogger who left her corporate job in Cebu for a slower life in Iligan City, Philippines. Healthline – Best Mom Blogs 2017, ESCooped – Cebu’s Top Family Blogger 2016, Top 10 Blogs Voice Boks Comedy Edition, Bloggys 2015 – Finalist, Family and Relationships Category, featured on BlogHer.com and HumorWriters.org. Jhanis also works as a Freelance Writer/Content Creator and manages a small farm house decor business when she’s not taking naps.