TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING
Sample Lessons
Lesson 2: Fire Safety—Never Playing with Fire
Bold type indicates what the teacher says during the lesson.
Concept
Knowing and following specific fire safety rules are important factors in keeping children safe.
Objectives
Children will be able to:
- Identify specific fire safety rules.
- Demonstrate the Stop, Drop, and Roll technique.
Notes to the Teacher
Children are exposed to fire in situations other than when they are playing with matches. Accidents occur even when adults are present (for example, at barbecues, campfires, bonfires, fireworks displays). Children need to know what safety rules to follow in these instances and what to do if they catch on fire.
This lesson is primarily a review of safety rules children have probably learned before. If they haven't learned these rules, you may need to spend more time on this lesson.
Warm-Up/Review
In our last safety lesson, we learned some safe walking rules. Who can tell me some of the rules we learned? (Face traffic when walking along a road. Wear light-colored clothing in the dark. Walk with a buddy.) How many of you have used these rules since our last lesson? Who would like to share some examples with the rest of the class?
Story and Discussion
Today we'll talk about outdoor fire safety. What are some rules you know about fire safety? Write children's responses on board and review each one.
How many of your families use barbecues, or grills, at home or at a park?
Show picture. Here are Chad and Steven next to a barbecue. Chad's father has already put lighter fluid on the charcoal and lit the fire for cooking the food. Steven is whispering to Chad that he thinks it would be fun to squirt more lighter fluid on the barbecue and watch the flames shoot up.
- Why would it be unsafe for Steven to more squirt lighter fluid on the barbecue? (Because the flames might get out of control and hurt someone.) An important safety rule is: Never play with fire.
- If Steven did squirt lighter fluid on the barbecue and his or Chad's clothes caught on fire, what should they do? (Stop, Drop, and Roll.)
- Why do you think people grill food outdoors instead of indoors? (Too smoky for indoors. House could catch fire.)
- What are some other outdoor activities that involve fire? (Campfires, bonfires, fireworks displays.)
Skill Practice
Model for children. One of the dangers of squirting lighter fluid on a barbecue is that it could cause you or a person nearby to catch on fire. If a person's clothes catch on fire, she or he should not run. She or he should Stop, Drop, and Roll on the ground to smother the flames. I will show you how to do this. You may prefer to have a student demonstrate the drop and roll exercise.
Have children practice. I would like a few of you at a time to come up to the front of the room and practice dropping and rolling on the floor as if your clothes were on fire. Give all the children a chance to practice this technique.
Summary
We have talked about several fire safety rules you should practice in case of a fire. The most important rule of all is: Never play with fire.