Children are often unaware that a small flame can quickly grow into a dangerous fire. Teach your child that matches and lighters are tools for adults, not toys. 

Parents and carers should ensure that these tools should be securely stored away and out of reach of children, similar to poisons and medication. 

See Medication safety for more information.

Teach your children how to identify potential dangers, including smoke alarms and the sight or smell of fire or smoke.

If children haven't seen a fire before, you may like to show them a photo of smoke or fire to help them identify dangers in the future.

Sit down and write an escape plan with your children. You can engage children and help them visualise your home's layout by drawing a map of your house. You should:

• plan at least two exits out of each room where possible
• choose a meeting location that is safely away from the home
• consider and plan for any mobility or safety issues for certain points
• practice and review the plan regularly
• ask your child if they have any questions.

Just like most workplaces conduct fire drills every few months, so should you in your family home. It will help create peace of mind and some action-based behaviour for you and your children should there ever be a fire in your home.

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

In the event of a home 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 route like other doors or windows.

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

It is important for children to be prepared in case of a fire. Teach your child that if any part of them or their clothing is on fire to STOP moving, DROP to the floor, COVER their face with their hands and ROLL on the floor until the fire is out. 

This will also help protect their face and lungs and assist 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, the air quality worsens quickly, making it hard to breathe. Smoke rises, so the cleanest air will be closest to the floor. 

To escape safely, teach your child to get down on their hands and knees and crawl to the nearest safe exit. This will help them avoid inhaling smoke and other fumes. It will also make it easier to navigate through the area. Encourage your child to shout 'fire' when crawling to the exit to alert adults and others in the house of the danger. 

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

Once your child is safe and out of danger, ensure they go to the meeting point that is outlined in your fire escape plan. In emergencies, they can call Triple Zero (000) for help. 

It's crucial to educate your child to never re-enter the house during a fire, even for pets or toys. Instead, they should inform the arriving firefighters of anyone still inside the house.