Every 24 seconds, a U.S. fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the country. If you have children, teaching fire safety from a young age is important. Teach your kids how to prevent fires — and how to stay safe if they encounter one — with these tips from fire damage repair specialists.

Fire Safety Tips to Teach Your Children

1. Don’t Play With Matches or Lighters

Teaching your children not to play with matches or lighters can save your home from extensive fire damage repair. Children playing with flames set more than 20,000 fires each year — or nearly 400 fires each week. Keep these tools out of reach and hidden away from young children to ensure they aren’t tempted to pick them up.

2. Establish & Practice Your Fire Safety Plan

Establish a fire safety plan with your family that explains where to go in case of a fire, and how to escape the home. Practice the plan at least once a year to make sure your children know what to do during an emergency. They should know how to open windows and screens, and how to call 9-1-1 if they are home alone.  

3. Teach Stop, Drop, & Roll

Though you hope they’ll never need to use it, parents should teach their children what to do if their clothes catch on fire. Reinforce the mantra of, “stop, drop, and roll” into their heads. Remind them not to run if their clothes catch on fire, as it will make the fire spread faster.

4. Never Go Back Inside

This is an important lesson, as children might be tempted to go back inside to retrieve a favorite toy or pet. Remind them to stick to the fire safety plan your family has prepared — they should go to your designated meeting spot and wait for the rest of the family to meet them there.

If your home is damaged in a fire, rely on SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine / St. Augustine Beach for fire damage repair. These professionals specialize in emergency cleaning services and fire restoration for residential and commercial properties. Learn more about their fire damage repair services online or by calling (904) 429-4457 today.