4 Fun Steps to Fire Safety: Help Your Preschooler Stay Calm, Confident & Ready

Written By Kelley Peake

When you’re already juggling a packed schedule, the words “Fire Safety Week” can feel like just one more thing on your overflowing to-do list.

You want your preschooler to understand what to do in an emergency—but between work, meal prep, and bedtime routines, finding the time (and the right words) to teach fire safety can feel overwhelming.

And let’s be honest—talking about fire can be tricky. You want your child to feel prepared without feeling panicked. Maybe you’ve tried before and it turned into a scary talk… or maybe you’ve just kept putting it off, hoping you’ll “get to it next weekend” while life keeps you running in a hundred directions.

Every parent wants their child to be safe and confident, and it is possible to teach fire safety without adding more chaos (or fear) to your day. Together, we can turn what feels overwhelming into something simple, even a little bit fun. Because helping your child feel ready is one of the most empowering gifts you can give.

We get it because we’ve been there—both in the classroom and at home. As a team of seasoned early-childhood educators and moms, we’ve guided countless preschoolers through fire-safety lessons without turning it into a scary lecture. We know how to keep things age-appropriate and playful—whether it’s turning a family fire drill into a giggly game of “follow the leader” or using story time to spark calm conversations. 

These are the same simple, confidence-building strategies we rely on with our own kids, so you can trust they’re tested in real life and ready for your family too.

Your Simple 4-Step Fire-Safety Plan for Preschoolers

1. Start with a story.

Kick things off with a short picture book or a fire-safety video made for preschoolers. A friendly character explaining what firefighters do takes the fear out and sparks curiosity.

Examples:

• Read No Dragons for Tea or Firefighters A to Z at bedtime, then talk about how the characters stay safe.

• Use the free My Fire Safety Book - Have your child color the pages and complete the simple activities together. It turns learning into a hands-on mini project while reinforcing key safety tips.

2. Explore the gear.

Show your child photos or a short clip of firefighters in full gear, or visit your local fire station if possible. Let them see that behind the big coat and mask is a helper, not someone to be afraid of.

Examples:

• Look up pictures of firefighters in gear and talk about each piece (“This mask helps them breathe clean air”).

• Play dress-up at home with a toy firefighter hat and let your child pretend to “rescue” stuffed animals.

3. Practice your family escape plan—make it a game.

Pick two exits from each room and a safe meeting spot outside. Then turn it into a playful “fire drill tag” where everyone practices calmly moving to the meeting place. Repeat until it feels second nature.

Examples:

• Use painter’s tape to mark two exits in each room and have your child choose which one to “escape” from during a pretend drill.

• Set a gentle timer and challenge the family to reach the meeting spot before the bell rings.

4. Build everyday habits.

Invite your child to help you check smoke detectors once a month, and teach simple rules like “don’t touch matches or lighters” in a matter-of-fact way. These little rituals turn safety into a normal part of home life.

Examples:

• Let your child push the test button on the smoke detector while you hold them or guide their hand.

• Make a “safety scavenger hunt” to find matches, lighters, or candles and talk about why only grown-ups handle them.

✨ Bonus Tip: Check your local fire department’s website or call them directly to see if they’re hosting family-friendly events—or to schedule a personal visit. Meeting real firefighters in their space makes the lessons memorable and fun.

Fire safety doesn’t have to be one more heavy task on an already long list. By weaving these simple steps into everyday life, you’re creating powerful family memories while giving your preschooler something priceless: the confidence to stay calm and the know-how to stay safe.

🧡 Ready to take your family action plan a step further?

Grab the Family Freedom Planning Bundle to create your own family plan and build confident, prepared kids—during Fire Safety Week and every week of the year!

Get the Family Freedom Planning Bundle Here!

Free Resource

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Don’t forget to download the FREE  My Fire Safety Book Printable made by Peake Academy Preschool At Home—your little one will love coloring while they learn.

Visit our Parent Advisor and The Buzz Blogs to learn more about related topics and parenting tips. You are welcome to join our private Parent Advisor Facebook group. It’s a growing community of parents and preschool teachers where you can learn and share more parenting tips.

Kelley Peake
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