Smoke Detectors: How to Explain to Your Children

Smoke Detectors: How to Explain to Your Children

Teaching your children about fire safety at a young age is beneficial for many reasons. The more informed they are, the less likely they are to panic if an emergency occurs. While the thought of a fire is disturbing for all, your child needs to know how to react if they hear a smoke alarm.

First, your child must understand that hearing a smoke alarm doesn’t always precede impending disaster. Smoke alarms often sound when there’s no fire at all. Explain to your child that a smoke detector can go off due to smoke from cooking, candles, and even aerosol cans.

Nonetheless, the sound of a smoke alarm should always be taken seriously. Even if it’s a false alarm, your child should know what to do and how to determine if there is a fire or something causing smoke to be released. Loud noises often frighten kids, so test the alarm so your child knows what it sounds like. Also, explain that smoke alarms are designed to be very loud.

Get Your Children Involved

Smoke alarms are nothing to tamper with. But involve your children in maintaining them. This includes changing the batteries and testing the devices. The sound of the alarm is something your child should recognize; when they hear it, it’s time to act quickly even if that means evacuating home.

Teach Your Child About Fire Safety

Kids often hide from danger in a closet or under a bed, but this isn’t helpful in a fire. To teach your children to stay as safe as possible:

• Identify every exit from your home and each room.
• Explain that if someone may still be inside, tell a firefighter or adult.
• Practice fire drills on a routine basis.
• Set up a meeting place for your family.
• Teach them the stop, drop, and roll method.
• Tell them to crawl on their hands and knees when there’s smoke.

Explain to your children that lighters, matches, and power tools are not safe. In addition to setting off a smoke detector, they can cause bodily harm and start a fire if used improperly.

Children aren’t always quick to retain information. But you can use engaging activities to effectively teach them about smoke detectors and fire safety. For small children, use coloring books, games, and role-play to help them learn. These activities can foster learning and make the idea of smoke detectors less scary. You can also install a smoke alarm while giving your child a birthday present to help the memory stick.

Use Online Resources

There are numerous online resources related to children’s fire safety. Here are some sites where you can find intuitive materials that can help teach about smoke detectors:

• Ready.gov: Operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the site includes various disaster preparedness materials including a home fire fact sheet for kids.

• Sparky.org: The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) website includes a fact sheet and tips for kids on preparing for home fires.

• FireFacts.org: Includes games, coloring pages, and other activities for young children, plus information for parents who want to educate their kids about home fire safety.

Let Express Electrical Services Install/Test Your Smoke Detectors 

Smoke detector installation, testing, and repair are part of our home safety services. We also professionally service carbon monoxide detectors. For home safety and all types of electrical services in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, call us at 323-727-7799. We are available 24/7 and offer 60- to 90-minute response times.