Protecting Fernandina Beach/Yulee Kids from Fire-Related Injuries  

10/10/2017 (Permalink)

Dewey our mascot Duck says, "Kids, don't play with fire."

Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners are most likely to start these fires, typically by playing with matches and lighters, and are most likely to die in them. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville picked up the following tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). 

Parent’s Fire Safety Tips

• Children experience fire interest. They may ask questions such as how hot is fire or show an interest in fire through playing with fire trucks or cooking on a play stove. This is healthy, and it is time to begin educating about fire. 
• Fire starting happens when children begin to experiment with fire using matches and lighters. Many fires happen when young children are left alone, even for a short period of time, and have access to matches and lighters. Parents must have clear rules and consequences about fire misuse. 
• Grown-ups can help keep fire out of the hands of children. 
• Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet or container. 
• Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision. 
• Teach young children and school-age children to tell a grown-up if they see matches or lighters. Children need to understand that fire is difficult to control, it is fast and can hurt as soon as it touches you. 
• A child with an interest in fire can lead to fire starting and result in repeated firesetting behavior. 
• It is important for grown-ups to discourage unsupervised fire starts. 
• Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you. 
• Never assign a young child any tasks that involve the use of a lighter or matches (lighting candles, bringing a lighter to an adult to light a cigarette or the fireplace, etc.) 
• If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only. 
• Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember, child-resistant does not mean child-proof. 

We hope it never happens, but if you have a fire in your home and need fire damage restoration, please call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach /Yulee /North Jacksonville at 904.729.2401