Step Two: Controlling Your Child’s Access To Fire

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“What are these for?”
Matches and lighters are the tools we use to make fires. Only adults must handle them. They can start fires and so even adults must follow safety rules whenever they use matches or lighters.
“Can I play with them?”
We all know about curiosity and the cat … keep matches and lighters up and out of the reach of curious young children.
“I want to help!”
Assign a curious child the job of telling you whenever they see carelessly discarded matches or lighters. Older children can be allowed to bring these items to adults for proper storage.
“I want to do that… ”
Whenever you use fire, let your curious child help you to make it safe:

  • Let him get the pot holders and pan lids and check to make certain nothing is too close to the gas flame.
  • Let her get the newspaper for the woodstove or fireplace; let her hold a water-filled saucer to douse the spent matches.
  • Let him make certain nothing is blocking heating vents.
  • Let her check the base or holder before you light a candle.
“What if no one’s watching?”
  • Never leave cooking fires unattended.
  • Always make certain an adult is watching the fireplace or woodstove.
  • MAKE CERTAIN ALL RELATIVES AND GUESTS FOLLOW YOUR RULES FOR MATCHES AND LIGHTERS.