Kids Safety at Home
Smoke alarms, escape routes and exactly what to do if a fire starts. Knowing the plan before it happens makes all the difference.
House fires can spread very quickly — sometimes in just a few minutes. That is why knowing what to do before a fire happens is so important. This page covers smoke alarms, escape routes, what to do if your clothes catch fire, and the most important rule of all: get out and stay out.
If there is a fire — get out first, then call 000.
Do not stop to call from inside the house. Get yourself and others out, then call from outside or a neighbour's home.
Smoke is more dangerous than the flames. It spreads faster, reduces visibility to almost zero, and can make you unconscious within minutes. Once you are safely outside, your job is to stay outside and call 000. Firefighters have the equipment to go inside safely — you do not.
Never assume it is a false alarm. Treat every alarm as real until you know otherwise. A false alarm costs a few minutes of caution. Ignoring a real one could cost lives.
If you need to leave your room, place the back of your hand against the door before opening it. If it is hot, do not open it — fire may be on the other side. Use your alternate escape route.
Smoke rises. The cleanest air in a smoke-filled room is near the floor. Crawl if necessary to keep your head below the smoke.
Go to your family's planned escape route. Close doors behind you as you go — this slows the spread of fire and smoke. Do not stop to take anything with you.
Go to your family's agreed meeting point outside. Do not go back in for any reason. Wait for everyone to arrive.
Once you are safely outside, call 000 and tell them your address. Stay on the line and answer their questions.
If your clothes or hair catch fire, do not run — running makes it worse by feeding more air to the flames. Use Stop, Drop and Roll:
Stop immediately. Do not run. Cover your face with your hands.
Drop to the ground. Lie flat. This stops you from breathing in more flames and smoke.
Roll back and forth to smother the flames. Keep rolling until the fire is out.
Every bedroom in your home should have two ways out — a primary route and a backup in case the main route is blocked by fire or smoke.
Usually the bedroom door, hallway, and front or back door. Walk this route and time it — how long does it take to get outside?
Often a window. Can you open it from the inside? Is there a safe drop height? Is there a roof or balcony to step onto? Check this with an adult.
Choose a clear spot outside that everyone knows — the letterbox, front gate, or a specific neighbour's driveway. Everyone goes there, no exceptions.
Walk the route at least once a year. Practise in the dark if possible — fires often happen at night when visibility is poor.
Primary exit from my bedroom: ________________________________________________
Secondary exit (if blocked): ___________________________________________________
Primary exit from other bedrooms: _____________________________________________
Our meeting point outside: ____________________________________________________
We practised our escape on (date): _____________________________________________
Smoke alarm locations: ________________________________________________________
Fire extinguisher location: _____________________________________________________
If you cannot get out — smoke is blocking all exits — do not panic. These steps can keep you safer while you wait for firefighters:
Children should generally not use fire extinguishers — they require training to use correctly and put you close to the fire. Your job is to get out and call 000. Adults who have been trained may use an extinguisher on a very small fire, but only if the exit is clear behind them.
We understand this is hard. But pets are replaceable — lives are not. Get yourself out. Once you are safely outside and firefighters arrive, let them know there is a pet inside. They are trained for this. Do not go back in.
Small fires can become large fires extremely fast. Unless an adult with proper training is immediately present with the right equipment, the safest choice is always to get out and call 000. You cannot outrun a fire that is growing.
A closed door is a significant barrier to fire and smoke. Tests have shown that a closed bedroom door can hold back flames for several minutes — enough time for firefighters to arrive. This is why you close doors behind you as you escape, and block the gap under the door if you are trapped.
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