Fire Safety: Preparing Your Kids for an Emergency

Today, I want to talk about something that might not be the most fun topic, but it’s one of the most important: teaching our kids about fire safety.

As parents, we spend so much time protecting our little ones from everyday dangers - outlets, hot stoves, sharp corners...but sometimes the big “what ifs” don’t get as much attention until they feel close to home. Talking about fire safety might seem scary at first, but here’s the thing: the more prepared our kids are, the more confident and calm they’ll feel if an emergency ever happens. And as parents, that peace of mind is everything.

Talk About the Basics (By Age)

Fire safety isn’t a one-and-done conversation - it grows with your kids. The way you talk about it with a 3-year-old will look very different than how you approach it with a 10-year-old. Here’s how you can teach (and re-teach) the same basics in an age-appropriate way:

Ages 2–4: Keep It Simple & Hands-On

At this stage, kids need clear, short, and visual instructions.

• Show them the smoke alarm and explain: “When it beeps, it means go outside fast.” You can even let them push the button so they recognize the sound.

• Teach them “get low and go” by practicing crawling under an imaginary blanket of smoke. Turn it into a game so it sticks.

• Show them where the doors are and practice opening them together.

• Keep it lighthearted - at this age, the goal is familiarity, not fear.

  
  

Ages 5–7: Connect Actions to Safety

This is when kids start to understand why rules exist. You can go a little deeper.

• Explain that smoke rises, which is why crawling low is safer.

• Practice touching a door with the back of your hand to check for heat before opening it.

• Introduce the idea of a meeting spot outside - make it feel like a “secret clubhouse” or safe zone where everyone gathers.

• Encourage them to repeat back the steps (“Alarm means go. Crawl low. Out the door. To the tree.”). Repetition = confidence.

  
  

Ages 8–10: Build Independence

Now it’s time to give them more responsibility in the plan.

• Walk through two exits from every room and let them problem-solve with you: “What if the door is blocked? Where else could we go?”

• Teach them how to remove a window screen safely if they need to.

• Let them lead the family fire drill sometimes - this helps them feel confident and capable.

• Start talking about what not to do (like hiding under the bed or trying to grab toys). Be gentle, but clear.

  
  

Ages 11+: Teach Smart Decision-Making

Older kids can handle more real-world conversations.

• Explain how to call 911 once they’re outside and what to say.

• Talk about helping younger siblings without putting themselves in danger (ex, “Wake them up, but don’t go back inside if they won’t come.”).

• Share age-appropriate stories or videos about real fire safety to drive home the importance without making it overly scary.

• Encourage them to think through “what if” scenarios with you - this helps them practice decision-making under stress.

  
  

The Key: Start simple, repeat often, and layer on details as they grow. Fire safety isn’t one big conversation - it’s a series of mini lessons that prepare our kids little by little.

Make an Exit Plan

Every home is different, but every home needs a plan. Walk through your house together and identify two exits from each room - doors, windows, or whatever is safest. The goal is to help your kids understand there’s more than one way out if their usual path is blocked.

Here’s something many parents don’t think about: windows. If your child may need to get out through a window, show them how to push out a screen safely and what to do next. If your bedrooms are upstairs, this might even be the time to invest in a fire escape ladder -they’re surprisingly easy to use once you practice. Make sure that the ladder is long enough for the height of the window!

Choose a Family Meeting Spot

Getting out of the house is only half the plan. The other half is knowing exactly where to go once you’re outside. This could be a tree at the end of your driveway, the mailbox, or even a neighbor’s porch. The key is consistency - pick one spot, repeat it often, and ensure that everyone knows they must stay there once they arrive.

This part is critical because firefighters need to know whether someone is still inside. If everyone runs in different directions, it creates panic and confusion.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Here’s where you can take something heavy and turn it into something fun and empowering.

Set aside a night for a family fire drill. Use your smoke alarm as the “go” signal, crawl low together, and race to your meeting spot. You can even time it to see if you can “beat” your last drill. Kids love turning challenges into games, and the repetition helps cement the steps in their minds.

The more you practice, the less overwhelming it feels. You’re not trying to scare them - you’re teaching them how to be brave and capable if the unexpected ever happens.

Extra Resources

If you’re looking for more tools, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has some fantastic free resources. Two that I love:

• Home Escape Planning (includes free downloads)

• NFPA YouTube Channel (preview any videos before showing them to your kids to gauge their age appropriateness).

  
  

Final Thoughts

Fire safety doesn’t have to be overwhelming or scary. Think of it the same way we teach our kids how to cross the street or put on their seatbelts - it’s just another layer of protecting them. And honestly, the peace of mind you’ll feel after practicing as a family is worth it a hundred times over.

I hope these tips encourage you to sit down with your little ones this week and make a plan together. It’s one of those things you hope you’ll never need, but if the day comes, you’ll be so grateful you did.

Xo,

Jess