QUINCY, Mass. — Remaining at home during the COVID-19 pandemic is tricky for just about all of us, but it can prove extra challenging for families with young children who are working to keep little ones busy and engaged. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers a wealth of free, educational resources that can help use this time wisely while delivering potentially life-saving impact.
NFPA’s Learn Not to Burn® program is a core-curriculum aligned, time-tested set of lesson plans designed to teach basic but critical fire safety messages to children in grades pre-K-2, and can easily be taught by parents at home. The plans include information about smoke alarms, matches and lighter safety, never going back inside a burning building, and how to call the fire department in an emergency, among other key messages.
“While parents and caregivers may not typically have much time to address fire safety at home, they now have a unique opportunity to incorporate associated educational activities with the children in their home,” said Andrea Vastis, senior director of public education at NFPA. “Our resources give them all the tools they need.”
Sparky’s School House offers NFPA lesson plans online, along with crafts, songs, videos, and host of other kid-focused resources that are accessible for free.
NFPA’s public education website also offers coloring sheets and other activities that reinforce its fire safety messages to young children, while providing detailed information for adults about installing, testing and maintaining smoke alarms, as well as guidelines for developing and practicing a home escape plan.
“Many of NFPA’s recommended fire safety activities, for kids and adults alike, require a bit of investigating and physical activity around the home, which can be extra helpful as parents work to keep their kids active in the weeks ahead,” said Vastis.
Kids can also visit Sparky the Fire Dog’s® website at www.Sparky.org, which also features online games, videos, award-winning apps, and other activities that make learning about fire safety engaging, easy and fun.
“Sparky is a great ambassador of fire safety information,” said Vastis. “His website receives more than 220,000 visit each year, so we know kids like coming back to play and keep learning.”
