Children playing with fire

One of the causes of fires is children playing with fire. Unfortunately, the statistics are harsh and relentless. In the Vitebsk region, there have been no child fatalities in fires in 2019, 2020, and so far in 2021. However, sadly, across the republic, 4 children have died in fires.

Why do fires occur due to children playing with fire? Examining each case of a child's death, one realizes that the tragedies were accompanied by ordinary everyday circumstances – parents went to work, to the store, to neighbors, or were engaged in household chores in the yard. In other words, children were left unsupervised. And then, the irreparable and cruel outcome of parental negligence: the death of a child.

Children often imitate adult actions and behaviors in their games. The desire for independence is especially evident when a child is left alone. And one cannot be sure that a child, left alone at home, will not decide to play with a box of matches, will not want to set paper on fire, will not become interested in the operation of household appliances, which are plentiful in every apartment.

Therefore, before leaving home, it is necessary to entrust the supervision of the child to older children or to an adult. To prevent the child from getting bored, they should be given a task: suggest a game theme, choose suitable toys. It is especially dangerous to leave children alone in locked apartments or rooms. In case of fire, they will not be able to exit the burning premises on their own. Moreover, when escaping from fire and smoke, children usually hide in closets, under beds, tables, in room corners. Finding children in a developing fire situation is not an easy task.

Skills for careful handling of fire must be instilled in children starting from 4-5 years of age. One should strive to ensure that the child understands that matches are not toys, and fire is not entertainment, so that they form an impression of fire as a severe disaster for people.

Preschool and primary school children, especially boys, like to use matches and flammable objects in their games. Children lack life experience, and therefore cannot foresee the consequences of their actions. The most common games among children involve making bonfires. Places for making bonfires are chosen accordingly – away from parental eyes – in house attics, sheds, basements, outbuildings, near haystacks. While the fire is small, the child observes what is happening; as soon as the fire reaches frightening dimensions, which happens within a few minutes, the natural reaction is fear, and then a desire to hide. Fearing parental anger and punishment, some children run away and hide elsewhere. Most, however, covering their faces with their hands in fear, remain forever in the fiery trap.

Children suffer from fire due to their unpreparedness. A child does not know how to behave in case of a fire, how to act, whom to ask for help, and most importantly, how to save themselves. And in this, adults are primarily to blame. Proper upbringing of children in the family, instilling in them skills for careful handling of fire, and organizing their leisure time are key to preventing fires and preventing child injuries. Children should be taught the rules of safe handling of fire, not just told what is allowed and what is not. Unfortunately, in families, teaching children fire safety measures is most often limited to prohibitive shouts: "Don't touch the matches, put the box back!", "Don't turn on the electric stove!", "Don't go near the gas stove!". But children in everyday life have to, and this is quite natural, use gas and electric stoves, other electrical appliances (TV, iron, etc.) – all that can cause a fire. Therefore, when communicating with children, the emphasis should be not on prohibitions, but on explanations.

Where and how a child spends their leisure time, who they are friends with, what games they are interested in – these questions should be a constant focus of parental attention.

Developing a child's personal safety immunity should be done with a sense of proportion. Conversations on these topics should be conducted in a friendly manner. The learning will not be in vain if the peculiarities of child psychology and the individual characteristics of the child are taken into account, explaining and showing with examples, games, films (cartoons), pictures, and real-life situations.

Explain what a particular appliance is for, how to use it correctly, and what precautions to observe. Tell them that if used incorrectly, this appliance can cause a fire.

Once again, we draw parents' attention to the fact that children should not just be "protected from fire": do not leave them unsupervised, do not allow them to play with matches and electrical appliances. It is necessary to teach children the rules for handling fire sources and actions in case of fire.

Measures to prevent fires caused by children's mischief: do not leave matches, lighters in plain sight and do not allow children to buy matches, cigarettes. Monitor children's pastime and do not leave children unsupervised. Do not trust small children to watch over burning stoves and heating appliances, or to use gas appliances. Teach your child your home address and phone number so that they can call for help from the emergency services if necessary. Write down the emergency service numbers on a piece of paper near the phone and explain to the child under what circumstances they can be used.

Dear parents! Take care of your children – try to organize their leisure time, especially during the summer. Teach them safe behavior rules. Children should have a happy childhood! And you, first and foremost, are responsible for this.