Home Fire Safety Checklist for Kids

Chris HuntAbout the Author: Hi! I'm Chris Hunt, and I wrote this article. With years of experience as a former firefighter and knowledge of combustible materials, I have personally researched and compiled the information presented here. Please note that the content provided is solely my opinion and should not be construed as professional advice. Additionally, I do not guarantee the quality or performance of any of the products featured. Please be sure to review the website's Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions before using the site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (without additional cost or expense to you).

A home fire safety checklist is essential for every family. This child-friendly checklist covers requirements like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and an escape plan. In addition, it shows some of the hazards you need to be aware of in these situations.

We hope this checklist will help you assess your home’s readiness for a fire. But don’t forget that you should always check with your local fire departments for rules and regulations in your region. Unfortunately, our website can’t cover the requirements for every jurisdiction. Every area has different directions – and you need to follow the rule where you live.

But we can create a general checklist that covers what we think are some of the most important things for homeowners to do to prepare their homes for fires. And that’s what we’ve done.

Home Fire Safety Checklist Activity for Kids

1. Smoke AND Carbon Monoxide Detectors

When researching this website, we were surprised to hear just how many smoke detectors you need in just one home.

It would be best if you placed smoke detectors:

  • On every level of the home;
  • In every bedroom;
  • In every hallway.

See here for full details of where to place smoke detectors according to the NFPA.

You should make sure that you can hear detectors all over the home.

There’s the option of an integrated smoke detector system. This integration means that when one detector detects smoke, all detectors sound the alarm. And when the user turns one alarm off, all notices go off. These systems can help give advanced warnings of fires in the home.

On top of all this, there is the option of a joint detector that detects smoke and carbon monoxide. While it often isn’t compulsory for everyone to get a carbon monoxide detector, this is becoming more common. 

Soon, carbon monoxide detectors will be required everywhere by law. So we think it’s a good idea to do it now and ensure an early detection system is state of the art.

Some people might find their smoke alarms false alarms in high-humidity areas. Would you mind looking at our guide to the best smoke alarms for high-humidity regions for more information?

2. Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are compulsory in homes in most jurisdictions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Even if they’re not compulsory, they’re one of your home’s most critical fire safety devices.

A fire extinguisher can effectively prevent a small fire from engulfing your home.

So fire extinguishers need to be close by and easily accessible to you.

We think the best type of fire extinguisher is a multipurpose (ABC) fire extinguisher. This type of extinguisher can effectively fight multiple types of fire, including oil and electrical.

If you call your fire station, you’ll find that they usually recommend fire extinguishers in the following locations:

  • The kitchen (this may require a specialized extinguisher);
  • The garage;
  • Near open fire locations such as chimneys.

Read More: See the Fire Extinguishers we Like

Kids playing

3. A Safe Kitchen

A kitchen is a widespread place where home fires start.

One of the first things you can do to protect a home is to install a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen. 

Fire Blankets: A fire blanket in the kitchen is a good idea. If the stove ever got out of control, it would be nice to be able to quickly pull out the blanket and smother the stove fire asap. Of course, it’s essential to have training on doing this in advance.

But it’s best to prevent a fire before it begins.

Here are some things you can do right now to minimize the risk of a kitchen fire:

  1. Ensure paper and cloth towels do not dangle above or near the stove;
  2. Check for grease below or around the furnace. Residual oil turns small fires into big problems within seconds;
  3. Ensure you get in the habit of turning the handles of pots and pans inward while on the stove. This habit will help prevent accidental spills.

4. Safe Electricals and Chimneys

Electrical outlets are another hot spot for fires.

There are a few things that you can do to minimize the risk of electrical fires:

  1. Never overload power boards. It’s never a good idea to stack power boards on each other.
  2. Check for frayed cords. Fires start when the outside protective coverings of cables are frayed.
  3. Unplug all power cords when not in use.

Similarly, chimneys are fire hotspots.

Ensure your chimneys or other open fire locations have at least 1 meter of free space from furniture or other objects that may catch fire.

(These are examples only and do not represent everything you need to protect a home – see your jurisdiction’s fire authority for more information).

5. Backyard Fire Safety

There are a few dangers that might cause fires in the backyard.

  • Tree Overhang: The first is overhanging trees. Ensure you trim your tree branches, so they don’t hang over gutters, fire pits, or barbecues.
  • Gutters: You’ll be surprised how many leaves might get into your channels. Even if you don’t have trees overhanging your house, leaves still build-up, thanks to the wind.
  • Debris: The next issue is debris. Debris can cause fires to spread. After wind storms, you’ll notice a lot of dead foliage in your backyard. It would be best if you cleared this debris as soon as possible.
  • Children’s Toys: Children’s toys can cause problems if they obstruct escape routes. Ensure all outdoor toys have a dedicated home where you can pack them away.
  • Woodpiles: Woodpiles often stack alongside the walls of your house. Instead, try to stack your firewood well away from home.
  • Sprinklers: We think it’s essential to keep a yard well-watered. A sound sprinkler system that keeps the grass green and moist rather than dead and dry can help, especially for the risk of wildfires.
  • Fire Pumps: People on a rural property might consider getting a fire pump to fight wildfires as they approach. See our review of the best fire-fighting pumps on the market today.

Escape ladder

6. An Escape Plan

Fire escape plans are compulsory in schools, malls, and businesses. So why don’t you have one in your home?

They’re so easy to put together. So sit down for 20 minutes and get it done.

Here are some things to consider when creating a fire escape plan:

  • Identify two exits that you can use and how to get there from any place in the home;
  • Identify a safe meeting place for the family to gather once they have exited the home;
  • Ensure everyone knows their roles, including which adult will gather the children and pets. Don’t waste time gathering your belongings;
  • Clear all entrances of obstructions that may prevent an escape;
  • Practice your escape routes with your children;
  • Teach your children how to call the emergency number to access the fire brigade;
  • Ensure all guests are aware of your fire emergency meeting point.

Some people living in multi-story apartments or have 2-Story homes get a fire escape ladder to help them get out when there’s no way down the stairs. Please read our review of some fire escape ladders.

A Final Word

This checklist is only a starting point. However, we hope this checklist has given you an idea of the first few things you should consider when protecting your home and family from fire threats.