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Children and Fire Safety

When it comes to children, fire safety should be a priority.

Here are important facts that you need to know about children and fire safety!

Kids and Fire Safety Facts and Stats

  • Every day, at least one child dies from a home fire and another 293 children are injured from fires or burns.
  • Ninety percent of all fire-related deaths are due to home fires.
  • Home fires can spread rapidly and leave families as little as two minutes to escape after an alarm sounds.
  • Children under 5 years of age are at the greatest risk from home fire death and injury; their death rate is nearly twice the national average.
  • Each year, nearly 488 children ages 14 and under die in home fires, and another 116,600 children are injured from a fire/burn related incident.

Fire Safety and Children - Helpful Hints

Keep Children Safe from Fire and Burns

Some children are curious about fire. There are simple steps you can make to keep you and the people you love safer from fires and burns.

  • Keep children 3 feet away from anything that can get hot. Space heaters and stovetops can cause terrible burns. Keep children away from anything that can lead to injury.
  • Keep smoking materials locked in a place that is out of reach. Never leave cigarette lighters or matches where children can reach them.
  • Never play with lighters or matches around children. Kids may try and imitate the dangerous behavior.

Downloadable Resources

Helpful Resources

Source for Content: National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration.

Quick Tips to Share

Share these graphics about children’s fire safety with your family and friends! We encourage you to print these and also share on social media.

Safety poster: Adult and child near a table with matches, promoting fire safety education. #FireSafety #PublicAwareness
An educational poster reminding that matches/lighters are tools, not toys, and to teach kids the difference.
An illustration showing a message about keeping matches and lighters out of children's reach, with logos for FEMA and US Fire Administration.
A safety message advising to keep children 3 feet away from stoves to prevent burns, with an illustrative graphic.
Safety poster: Adult and child near a table with matches, promoting fire safety education. #FireSafety #PublicAwareness
An educational poster reminding that matches/lighters are tools, not toys, and to teach kids the difference.
An illustration showing a message about keeping matches and lighters out of children's reach, with logos for FEMA and US Fire Administration.
A safety message advising to keep children 3 feet away from stoves to prevent burns, with an illustrative graphic.