Officers use their training, experience and expertise to deliver fire safety messages in a sensitive and reassuring way so children understand the importance of home fire safety without becoming worried about a fire happening in their home. There are two different workshop sessions on offer to teach younger children about fire safety.
Children aged 5-7 learn that fire is dangerous, and can hurt people. They'll learn about common fire hazards, and to never play with matches and lighters. We also talk about smoke alarms and how they keep homes safe from fire, what to do in an emergency if there is a fire, and how to call 999.
This session for older children goes into more detail. lt explains that fire kills, destroys homes and spreads quickly. lt educates that smoke can be as dangerous as fire, how smoke alarms work, and how to make sure they are working properly. We'll talk about how to make fire escape plans from homes (including tower blocks), what to do if there is a fire, and how to call 999.
The workshops are carefully managed to reduce children's natural curiosity about fire – and to reduce the risk of that curiosity developing into an interest in deliberately lighting fires.
Although our aim is to help children become more 'fire safe' by teaching them about the dangers of fire and smoke, responsibility for making their home safer is very much placed with parents and guardians.
This approach is really important for younger children who could easily become overwhelmed or anxious if they feel responsible for keeping others safe. It also means that they don't put themselves at risk by trying to deal with fire hazards themselves.