Adele Buchanan uses the Birdie and the fire book and puppet with some of the playgroups
CFA’s Adele Buchanan has been out and about in north-east Victoria delivering the re-developed Early Fire Safe education program.
“A mum in Mitta Mitta told me about her young son who she found under his sister’s cot playing with a box of matches. This is why the focus on preventing fire play is such an important part of the program,” Adele said.
Children aged from birth to four years old are disproportionately affected by home fire-related injuries and fatalities. Young children’s natural curiosity and limited hazard recognition make them particularly susceptible to burns and fire incidents. One alarming contributor is fire play - the accidental ignition of fires by children using matches, lighters or other sources. Data reveals that more than 40 per cent of fire-related deaths in this age group in Australia are linked to fire play.
The Early Fire Safe program aims to reduce fir- related injuries and fatalities in children up to four years old, targeting parents and care givers, particularly multicultural, remote, low socio-economic and First Nations families.
The program works in partnership with local Maternal and Child Health services and other children’s services to engage parents. Adele has been working closely with the Tomorrow Today Foundation in Benalla that runs 14 play groups a week and multiple new parent groups.
“It’s heartening how many parents act on our advice to put smoke alarms where their baby and children sleep. Once they understand their importance in bedrooms, and how affordable they are, they are empowered to do it themselves,” Adele said.
“They are excellent fire safety sessions, it's not a lecture, it is really engaging, practical and fun for our families,” said Rachael Heywood, a facilitator at Tomorrow Today.
Young children are one of our most vulnerable groups in the community as they rely solely on the adults in their lives to keep them safe and teach them about safety. Early Fire Safe gives parents the ability to better manage home fire dangers, so that young children are safer.
Go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au/parents to learn more.