Parents and Children

• Don't leave children on their own in a room where there is a fire risk
• Never let them play near the oven and hob
• Keep matches, lighters, candles and tea lights out of reach of children or in a locked cupboard
• Put a childproof fireguard in front of an open fire or heater
• Don't let children play or leave toys near a fire or heater
• Keep portable heaters in a safe place where they can't be knocked over when they are being used or stored
• Place plug guards into sockets so children can't stick anything into the holes
• Keep your fire escape route clear of toys and other obstructions
• Teach your children what to do if there is a fire

• If you see smoke or fire, raise the alarm and tell a grown up immediately
• Get out of the building as soon as possible. Go to the house next door if you can and ask them to call 999
• If there is smoke in the room, crawl low along the floor
• Never hide in a cupboard or under the bed. Do all you can to raise the alarm and get out
• If the way out is blocked, go into a room with a window. Put blankets or towels at the bottom of the door to stop smoke getting in
• If there is a phone in the room, dial 999. If there isn't a phone, open the window and shout for help
• Don't go back into the building, not even for pets

How to spot a fire setter:

• Small burn holes in things such as carpets, bed clothes, curtains etc
• Charred paper in sinks or wastebaskets
• Matches or lighters hidden in your child's cupboards and drawers or under their bed or going missing in the house
• An unusual fascination with fire
• Unknown fires in your home

What you should do if you suspect a child is playing with fire:

• Explain to the child that fire is a tool, not a toy and talk about the different ways adults make use of fire as a tool
• Use 'candles on a birthday cake' and 'coal fires for heating' as examples
• Explain to children that fires can hurt or even kill
• Make sure that matches and lighters (if kept in the home) are stored out of sight and reach of children
• Use child-proof containers for matchboxes and lighters if possible
• Never leave young children alone in the house, even for short periods of time
• Search the child's bedroom and school bag for lighters or matches
• Carry out regular checks for any sign of further fire setting such as burn marks on carpets / bed / furniture, particularly within the childs room
• Keep outbuildings, garden sheds and garages locked to prevent access to flammable items
• Try to keep the home free from items like newspapers and cardboard that could be set alight
• Fit smoke alarms in each room except the bathroom, toilet and kitchen. This will alert to any firesetting activity quickly
• Test the smoke alarms weekly by pressing the test button and change the battery when required
• Make a home fire safety plan with your family and practise it
• If a fire occurs, warn the rest of the family

GET OUT - STAY OUT - GET THE FIRE SERVICE OUT - DIAL 999

If you think your child, or a child you know, is displaying firesetting tendencies or behaviour, you can contact Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Community Safety Liaison Team for further information. Call 01698 300 999 or email CS_AreaLiaisonTeam@strathclydefire.org