Children are often unaware that small flames can quickly turn into dangerous fires. Teach your child that matches and lighters are for adults only. They are not toys.

Parents and carers should ensure matches and lighters are:

• securely stored away
• out of reach of children.

This is similar advice for poisons and medication. 

See Medication safety for more information.

Help your children learn what smoke and fire look and smell like. If they haven’t seen a fire before, showing them a photo can help them recognise danger and know when to get help.

Write an escape plan with your child, in the event of a fire. You can engage children and help them visualise a plan by drawing the layout of your house. You should include:

• two exits out of each room
• a meeting location- safe and away from the home
• extra support for any mobility issues
• regularly practice the plan with your children
• any questions or feedback from your child.

Just like when workplaces conduct fire drills, so should you in your family home. Doing this every few months will help create peace of mind and action-based behaviour in the event of a fire in the home.

See Brigade Kids website on What is a home fire escape plan?.

In the event of a fire, teach your child to use the back of their hands to feel the door before using an exit. If it is hot, your child should use an alternative exit like other doors or windows.

If it is safe to exit, teach children to close doors behind them to stops the fire from spreading.

It is important for children to be prepared in case of a fire.

If any part of your child, or their clothing, is on fire:

• stop moving
• drop to the floor
• cover the face with hands
• roll on the floor until the fire is out.

This will help protect their face and lungs and help smother the flames.

1. STOP where you are

2. DROP to the floor

3. COVER their face with their hands

4. ROLL on the floor to put the fire out

Make sure your children are confident to get out of the home safely. 

During a fire, smoke rises and the air quality gets worse. Being closer to the floor helps with breathing clearer air whilst exiting a room with fire.

To escape safely, teach your child to:

• get down on their hands and knees
• crawl to the nearest safe exit
• shout 'fire' as they crawl to alert adults and others to the danger.

See What should I do if my house is on fire? from Brigade Kids.

Once your family is safely outside and out of danger:

• go to the meeting point in your fire escape plan
• never re-enter the house during a fire- even for pets or toys.

In emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) for help. Inform the arriving firefighters if there is anyone still inside the house.

Brigade kids have fire safety material, games and activities for children to explore.

Brigade kids launch