Making your home safe for children
Teaching children to be safe with fire
A child can start a fire in moments, but only if he or she has the means to do so.
- Don't leave children on their own in a room where there's a fire risk.
- Keep matches and lighters where children cannot see or reach them.
- Place candles and tea lights where children cannot reach them.
- Put a childproof fireguard in front of an open fire or heater.
- Don't let children play or leave toys near a fire or heater.
- Put child locks on cupboards containing anything that could be used to start a fire (for example, matches, candles, flammable liquids and so on).
- Keep portable heaters in a safe place where they can't be knocked over when they are being used or stored.
- Keep your escape route clear of toys and other obstructions.
- Never leave children alone in the kitchen when you're cooking, and never let them play near the oven and hob.
- Put plug guards into sockets so children can't stick anything into the holes.