Fires and burns are the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for children from birth through age 19 in the United States. Nationwide, nearly 300 children die from fire or burn injuries each year.1 Children ages four and younger are at a higher risk of fire death than older children and accounted for 44% of all child fire deaths in 2019.2 Black children accounted for a large and disproportionate share of fire deaths. According to the American Red Cross, people may have as little as two minutes to escape once a fire starts. The following resources can inform strategies to save lives and keep children safe from fires and burns.
Resources for Adults and
Community Members
Children and Home Fires – American Red Cross
Children’s Sleepwear Regulations –
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Fire and Burn Safety – Children’s Safety Network
Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist – American Red Cross
Fire Safety Equipment – American Red Cross
Fire Safety Toolkit (Includes Lesson Plans) –
National Fire Protection Association
Home Fire Escape Plan Template – American Red Cross
Home Fire Safety – American Red Cross
Home Fire Safety Tips for Caregivers of Babies
and Toddlers – U.S. Fire Administration
Household Extension Cords Can Cause Fires –
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Multigenerational Fire Safety – Consumer
Product Safety Commission
Planning and Practicing Home Fire Drills –
Safe Kids Worldwide
Smoke Alarm Safety Tips – National Fire
Protection Association
Fire Prevention
Awareness Month – October
References
- Children’s Safety Network. (2021). Fire and burn prevention 2021 resource guide.
https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/sites/default/files/FireBurnPrevention2021.pdf - U.S. Fire Administration & Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021). Fire risk in 2019. Topical Fire Report Series, 21(8). https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v21i8.pdf