Teach the familiar "Stop, Drop and Roll" technique for putting out fires on clothes to preschoolers to prevent them from burning themselves should they find their clothes in fire. Have preschoolers take turns acting out the mantra, and explain how this will put a fire out more effectively than running around looking for help. Preschoolers can loosely tape paper "flames" to their clothing to help them better understand how to stop, drop and roll until a fire is out.
Have preschoolers draw simple escape routes from their home or school to hang up and remind them of the safest way out of the building should it catch fire. Be sure they mark windows, doors and potential barriers they may encounter should a fire start in their home or school, and go over what to do should they encounter hazards during their escape. Take this lesson a step further by having preschoolers practice the escape routes they draw at least once a month, so it will become second nature should they ever need to use it.
Show preschoolers common household or classroom items that are flammable or can start a fire to help them better understand how to prevent the formation or spread of a blaze. This lesson on fire safety will introduce youngsters to familiar materials that cwn be hazardous near fires such as matches, gasoline, certain cleaners, aerosol cans and lighters. Have parents donate empty bottles or boxes of potentially dangerous materials to give preschoolers a thorough, well-rounded lesson on fire safety.
Expose preschoolers to what a fire alarm sounds like and how they should act when they hear one by scheduling a fire drill. This two-day lesson begins by playing a fire alarm and instructing preschoolers how to crawl on all fours, how to avoid smoke, how to get to the nearest exit and how to find a designated meeting away from the building. The next day, set the fire alarm off at a random time and have preschoolers practice exiting the building as if it were on fire.