Fire is the leading cause of unintentional home injury deaths among young children. Many fires happen simply because matches, lighters, and other paraphernalia are left within reach of a child.
Here are some tips for keeping your family safe:
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Keep matches and lighters up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.
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Ensure children are kept away from fire sources, including lit candles, cigarettes, bonfires, and stoves.
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Teach children to never touch matches or lighters, and to tell an adult when matches or lighters are found.
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Explain that fire moves very quickly, and can hurt as soon as it touches you.
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Establish clear rules and consequences about unsupervised and unauthorized use of fire.
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Be a good example! Always use sources of fire safely, and never treat them as toys.
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Give praise for showing respect and responsible behavior toward fire.
For more resources and information, check out the NFPA website.