Fire Safety Checklist for Children

An adult should always remain in the kitchen when food is cooking. Make sure children know to keep the stove top and nearby counters clear of flammable items, such as curtains, napkins and plastic. Keep potholders far enough from the stove but close enough that you can easily reach them. Remember to keep all pot handles turned toward the middle of the stove. You also should designate a "kid-free" zone of at least 3 feet around the stove.

Teach children that only adults are allowed to turn heaters on and off. Space heaters should not be left in a room where children are sleeping and no adult is present. Remind children never to place anything over a heater. Keep a screen in front of your fireplace to catch sparks and set an appropriate distance around the fireplace to protect children. Have your chimney and furnace inspected annually, and keep propane tanks and other fuels stored outside.

Ensure that kids know proper use of an extension cord. Keep cords from running under the carpet, across doorways or hooked over nails. Electrical cords should not have any cracks or frays. Tell kids that a grownup should plug and unplug electrical cords and that they should never plug anything into an electrical socket.

Smoke alarms increase your chance of surviving a fire. You should have smoke alarms on every level of your home and in sleeping areas. Teach your children about checking the smoke alarms monthly and replacing the battery annually. Keep your kids around when you test the smoke alarm so they know what it sounds like. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for replacing the smoke alarm.

Create a fire escape plan for every room in the house. Your plan should include at least two potential exits, such as a door and a window, and a safe place to meet outside after you exit. Practice the fire escape plan with your children every six months. Show kids how to crawl low on the floor to stay below the smoke, as well as how to stop, drop and roll if their clothes are on fire.