Frankfort Fire Protection District
Frankfort IL

Firefighters Teach Kids Fire Safety Basics

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Meeting A Firefighters

Children learn age-appropriate ways to stay safe from fires

  • Knowing the sound of a smoke alarm

  • Practicing a family fire drill

  • Staying away from hot things such as matches and lighters

  • Touring a real fire engine truck

Firefighters are community helpers

Meeting firefighters and learning about their role in society, installing fire alarms, playing educational games and practicing a fire escape plan are all ways to help kids understand fire safety basics.

Protecting and educating children

A firefighter shares knowledge on taking sensible precautions in the home and teaching children how to escape from a fire can help your family avoid this type of heartbreak.

Tips to help your child survive a fire

  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. 

  • Once a month check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button. 

  • Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm chirps, warning the battery is low.

  • Teach your children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

  • Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home, and where to meet up outside.

  • Practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.

  • Emphasize “get out, stay out.” Only professional firefighters should enter a building that is on fire—even if other family members, pets or prized possessions are inside.

  • Use quick-release devices on barred windows and doors. Security bars without release devices can trap you in a deadly fire. If you have security bars on your windows, be sure one window in each sleeping room has a release device.

  • Consider getting escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them, and store them near the windows. 

  • Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.