Warn children about the dangers of playing with fire!
Children's mischief with fire often causes fires. As practice shows, such fires often occur due to children's lack of skills in handling fire carefully, insufficient adult supervision of their behavior, and in some cases, parents' inability to organize their children's leisure time.
Between the ages of three and seven, children in their games often repeat the actions and deeds of adults, imitating their work. The desire for independence is especially evident when children are left alone. One cannot be sure that a child left alone at home will not decide to play with a box of matches or a lighter, will not want to set fire to paper, or will not build a bonfire they saw in the forest.
Prevent children's mischief with fire:
- teach the child what to do in case of fire, show them possible evacuation routes;
- teach the child not to panic and not to hide in case of fire;
- do not entrust children with monitoring electrical appliances, stoves, and gas stoves;
- hide matches, lighters, etc. from the child;
- do not leave young children unattended!
- monitor how children spend their free time, what they are interested in, distract them from useless pastimes.
- remember: protective devices for electrical outlets reduce the risk of electric shock in homes with young children;
- regularly check household appliances for damage;
- explain to children that they must not use electrical appliances without adult permission.
When raising a child and instilling in them the necessary skills for safe behavior at home, parents themselves must first set a worthy example of behavior. After all, the primary responsibility for preventing domestic injuries lies with parents; rational organization of childcare, caution, responsibility, and self-discipline should play a leading role in preventing dangerous situations. The parents' task is to make their child as safe as possible – to instill skills of prudence, discipline, and safe behavior.
Inspector of Fire and Rescue Unit, Miory District Department for Emergency Situations O.M. Girzhda