Del Norte Child Care Council Newsletter Articles

Fires Safety During the Holidays
By Sharon D. Ware, RN, Ed.Dc.

Burns are one of the most painful injuries a person can live through and survive. Burns can be caused by a variety of agents, from scalding water to electrical currents. Burns caused by contact with fire are more common among older children. Younger children tend to receive fire and burn injuries caused by cooking, cigarettes, or playing with matches or lighters. During the holiday season, matches and lighters are particularly dangerous because adults are busy lighting candles and making fires in the fireplace, and these activities are very tempting to young children. They want to imitate adult behavior and can easily become burned or set something on fire as a result.

Although the Consumer Product Safety Commission has set a mandatory safety standard that requires 95 percent of the 600 million lighters purchased each year to be child resistant, there are a few lighters (and of course, matches) that are not child-resistant, and can cause severe burns to young children. Fires do not discriminate. Children, especially those ages 4 and under, are at greatest risk, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Child care providers can play an important role in teaching children to avoid burns and not play with fire.

Starting early with your fire safety educational program is very important. Two recommended curricula for teaching fire safety to young children are Children's Television Workshop's Sesame Street First Safety Station, and Fire Safety Education Program of the Learn Not to Burn Foundation for Preschool Children. Child care providers can also encourage parents to keep their homes safe during the holidays by following a few basic tips below.

Keep matches, gasoline and lighters locked away and out of reach of children.
Install smoke alarms and check the batteries regularly.
Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriter's Lab, Inc.) approved lights and cords.
Keep burning candles out of the reach of children.
Teach young children not to touch or play with burning candles or fire.
Never place candles near draperies or near any material that could catch fire.
Always use a fireplace screen and do not leave young children in the room alone while a fire is burning.

Lastly, it is important for children to be familiar with fire safety and fire drills. Child care providers should regularly practice fire drills with children and encourage parents to continue this practice at home. Child care providers are a key link to fire safety among young children.

References: Alameda Alliance for Health at www.alamedaalliance.corn
National Safe Kids Campaign at www.safekids.org
Credit Child Care Health Connections Nov-Dec. 2003
Nutrition, Nurture and News