Fire Safety Tips for Kids and Toddlers

A home fire can spread very fast. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says you may have as little as 2 minutes to get out safely. Young children do not always know what to do when they hear a smoke alarm, so it is important to teach them early and practice often.

Below are simple fire safety tips for parents of toddlers and young children. They come from trusted sources like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the NFPA, the American Red Cross and Ready.gov.

Make Sure Your Smoke Alarms Work

• Put them in the right places. The NFPA says to install smoke alarms inside and outside every bedroom and on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Keep them away from the kitchen. Smoke alarms should be at least 10 feet from the stove to cut down on false alarms.
• Test them every month. Push the test button once a month to make sure you hear the loud beep.
• Change the batteries. The Red Cross says to replace batteries at least once a year, and right away if the alarm chirps.
• Replace old alarms. The NFPA says smoke alarms should be replaced 10 years after the date they were made.
• Teach the sound. Push the test button with your child so they know what a smoke alarm sounds like. The AAP says to teach kids that this sound means to go outside right away.

Make a Fire Escape Plan

• Find two ways out of every room. The NFPA suggests that families with children draw a map of the home and mark two ways out of each room, like a door and a window.
• Pick a meeting place outside. Choose a spot in front of your home, like a tree, a mailbox or a neighbor's house, where everyone meets after they get out.
• Practice twice a year. Practice your plan at least twice a year, at different times of the day.
• Check if your child wakes up. During a drill, see if your child wakes up to the smoke alarm. If they do not, make sure a grown up is in charge of waking them.
• Keep paths clear. Make sure doors and windows open easily and nothing blocks the way out.

Teach Kids What to Do in a Fire

• Get out and stay out. The Red Cross says only firefighters should go into a burning building, even if pets or toys are still inside.
• Crawl low under smoke. The AAP says to teach your child to crawl on hands and knees, with their head less than 2 feet above the floor, to the nearest exit.
• Check doors for heat. Test closed doors with the back of your hand. Do not open a door if it feels hot or if you see smoke.
• Stop, drop and roll. If clothes catch on fire, the AAP says to stop, drop to the ground, and roll over and over while covering your face with your hands. Then cool the burn with water and call for help.
• Call for help from outside. Call the fire department after you are out, using a cell phone or a neighbor's phone. Make sure everyone knows how to call 911.

Never Hide From Firefighters

This one is very important for little kids. In a fire, a scared child may try to hide. Firefighters in their big masks, helmets and suits can look scary too. Ready.gov says to teach children not to hide from firefighters, and the AAP says to teach kids that firefighters are friends.

Songs can help kids see firefighters as helpers. In Firefighters, a team of penguin firefighters slides down the pole, rushes to the fire and makes sure everyone is out of the building safe and sound. The song tells kids, "There's no need to worry my dear, because the brave firefighters are here." In Song About Firefighters, kids learn about the gear: "I will put my helmet on, my suit, my boots, my gloves and done." And Fire Truck lets little ones make the siren sound and learn that fire trucks are "so big, so red, so long."

For more songs about the people who keep us safe, see our list of community helper songs for preschoolers. You can also watch our firefighter songs and safety cartoons on our music page.

Prevent Fires at Home

• Lock up matches and lighters. Ready.gov says to store them out of children's reach and sight, ideally in a locked cabinet. The Red Cross says to use only lighters with child resistant features.
• Use flameless candles. The Red Cross suggests candles with a light bulb instead of a flame, so there is no danger if a child knocks one over.
• Give heaters space. The NFPA says to keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.
• Close bedroom doors at night. Ready.gov suggests sleeping with the bedroom door closed. The NFPA says a closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.

Planning for Halloween? Our Halloween safety tips for kids include ways to light pumpkins without a real candle.

Fun Ways to Practice Fire Safety

• Draw the map together. Let your child help draw your home and color in the two ways out of their room.
• Practice stop, drop and roll. Make it a game on the living room floor.
• Visit a fire station. Ask your local fire station if your child can visit, see the truck and meet firefighters in their gear, so the uniform is not scary.
• Sing before a drill. Play Song About Firefighters, then practice your escape plan.

Questions About Fire Safety for Kids

How can I teach my toddler about fire safety?

Keep it simple. Teach them what a smoke alarm sounds like, practice crawling low and going to your meeting place, and teach them never to hide from firefighters.

How often should we practice a fire drill at home?

The NFPA and the Red Cross say to practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year.

How often should I test my smoke alarms?

Test them once a month by pushing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year and replace the alarm 10 years after the date it was made.

Should kids hide from firefighters?

No. A scared child may want to hide, and firefighters in their big gear can look scary. Teach your child that firefighters are friends who are there to help, and never to hide from them.

What is stop, drop and roll?

If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop to the ground and roll over and over to put out the flames. Cover your face with your hands.

This post is for general information only. It is not medical or professional safety advice. If you have questions about your child's health or safety, please talk to your doctor or your local fire department.