Having and practicing a home fire escape plan is one of the most important components of home fire safety. Children and adults should both practice this fire escape plan. Children can be given a blank sheet of paper to draw their own home and then plan an escape route from their room to the outside of the house. Stress the importance of leaving immediately and not stopping for toys or pets. An outside meeting place is a very important component of this plan, so the firefighters will know everyone is accounted for. Have the kids designate this place, whether a tree, mailbox or other easily identifiable spot.
Use a toy stove and cooking utensils to stress the importance of having pot handles turned in away from little hands. Teach the kids that the knobs on the stove are for adults to use and that they should never play with them. Show the children that toys and other non-cooking items should never be put on top of the stove at any time.
Teach children that they should never play with flammable items they may find. An adult should be told where a lighter or matches are, and children shouldn't touch them at all. Place an empty matchbox on a desk, and ask the children to demonstrate what they should do if they find this item at home. Have them tell the teacher what they would say if it's found, making sure they don't touch the box.
Have the students demonstrate what they would do if their clothes catch on fire. The children should be able to demonstrate that they would immediately fall to the ground, cover their faces with their hands and roll back and forth to smother the flames. Stress to the kids that running is the worst thing they could do, as it fans the flames and makes the fire worse.
Invite members of your local fire department to visit and show the children their firefighting gear and explain to them that they shouldn't be afraid. Have them cover the lessons you have already taught the kids and answer any questions they may have about fire safety.