As the seasons change and we move more activities indoors, it’s an excellent time to remind parents and kids about the threat of house fires. Fires can happen suddenly and spread quickly. You and your family can help keep your home safe by taking some simple precautions. Here are some reminders to review with your kids today. 

  • Don’t leave a burning candle unattended. Emphasize to your kids the importance of not burning candles when you leave the house or go to bed. If your household burns candles often, get kids involved by doing an evening “candle check” before bed. Little kids love to blow out candles, so they’ll be a good reminder for you. A candle snuffer is another option. You might also consider converting to flameless LED candles as a safer alternative, especially if you have young children or pets.
  • Do stay near the stove. Cooking is one of the leading causes of house fires. Always stay in the kitchen when frying, boiling, or broiling food. If you need to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. Kids can help listen for the timer if you have to step away for a moment. Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains — away from your stovetop.
  • Do give space heaters need their space. Space heaters are a nice addition to a chilly room but can be dangerous. They account for one-third of home heating fires. Leave at least three feet of empty, clean space around the heaters, and turn the heater off before leaving the house and going to bed. Remember always to double-check space heaters to make sure they’re approved for indoor use. Many fuel-fired space heaters emit carbon monoxide gas and cannot be used indoors. Don’t risk it if it isn’t authorized to be used indoors or it isn’t clear in the instructions.
  • Don’t overload your outlets. With all the electronics in today’s modern household, it’s easy to overload your electrical outlets. Older homes, especially, may not be equipped to handle the electrical demands of today’s plugged-in families. Educate your kids about the importance of using power strips with built-in surge protection and avoiding excessive use of extension cords. Remind them to unplug chargers and other devices when not in use, as even these can pose a fire hazard when left plugged in unnecessarily. If you’re using an electric portable space heater, make sure you plug it directly into an outlet and not an extension cord. If you blow a fuse or see any discoloration on your wall plates, that’s a sure warning sign.

Need more fire safety ideas to get your kids involved? Check out this article October – Fall Fun And Fire Prevention – Oregon Kid.