Being safe in an emergency is a family affair. This section contains fun activities to help everyone learn how to stay fire and storm safe at home.
Home Fire Safety
Most fires in your home are preventable. Here are some helpful resources to assist you and your family – a short video, fact sheets, home fire escape family worksheet, printable colouring in sheets, online colouring-in and junior fire safety certificate.
Watch this video as a family - Home Fire Safety Video.
Develop a Home Fire Escape Plan
If there is a fire in your home having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan will increase your chances of getting out of your house safely. If you already have a plan, take the time to practise it with your family.
Home Fire Escape - Introductory information
Home Fire Escape Plan - Family Worksheet (PDF)
Home Fire Safety Colouring-in – Print and Colour
Online Colouring-In
Chatterbox Activity (PDF 2625KB)
Junior Fire Safety Certificate (PDF 1590KB)
Check Your Smoke Alarms
Importance of Smoke Alarms Video
A working smoke alarm provides early warning and time to escape. Watch our smoke alarm video as a family.
If you don’t have smoke alarms, check out what you need to do here. You can also find out more information in our Installing Smoke Alarms Fact Sheet (PDF).
Home Cooking
You may be doing more cooking at home with the family. Here is some important information.
Cooking in the Kitchen Fact Sheet (PDF)
The leading cause of house fires in Western Australia is leaving cooking unattended. Here is a useful link to Fire and Rescue NSW on tips to be safe in your kitchen.
Keep Looking When Cooking – Distractions can quickly lead to a kitchen fire
Read a Book Together – Aaron’s Promise
Aaron’s Promise explores the subject of fire play and provides discussion questions to help you talk about fire safe behaviour with your children.
Aaron's Promise - Book (PDF)
Aaron’s Promise – Book Reading Tips and Activities for Parents (PDF)
Home Fire Safety Family Pack
The DFES Education team can send your family a Home Fire Safety Family Pack which includes -
- A Copy of Aaron’s Promise
- 4 Home Fire Safety Stickers
- 2 Colouring-In Sheets
- Home Fire Escape Plan
- Chatterbox Activity Sheet
- A Junior Certificate
- Fire Safety in the Home Information Booklet
Send your request and your postal address to educationandheritage@dfes.wa.gov.au and we will mail you a Home Fire Safety Family Pack.
What to do if your child is starting fires
Young people play with fire for various reasons, ranging from natural curiosity to using fire to express feelings of anger or emotional distress. Without help and guidance, young people may continue to light fires leading to serious consequences such as serious personal injury and damage to property.
Do not ignore your child’s fire play. Harsh punishment doesn’t work and will often result in your child becoming more secretive in their fire play.
If your child is lighting fires, follow these 4 simple steps:
- Remove the temptation of lighters and matches – lock them away out of your child’s reach
- Teach your children to bring you unattended lighters and matches and reward them for their honesty
- Explain to your child that fire can hurt and they should stay away from fire of any kind
- Contact the Juvenile and Family Fire Awareness (JAFFA) Program for help.
JAFFA Program: Information for families (PDF 1264 KB)
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Keeping Storm Safe
Dangerous storms are one of the most common natural hazards in Australia. Here are some helpful resources to assist you and your family – a short video, information guide and suggested activities including printable colouring-in sheets.
Watch this video as a family - Storm Safety Video
Here is a guide to Preparing for Storms (PDF) which has advice about what to do before and after a storm.
Suggested Activities
- Storm Safety Colouring-in Activity – Print and Colour (PDF)
- Online Colouring-In
- As a family, work together to prepare your home and yard for the storm season.
- Pack an emergency kit together. Involve children in this process so they begin to know how to prepare and respond to storm emergencies.
- Have a relocation kit in case you need to leave your home. Children can pack their own special belongings to take with them when leaving early (e.g. special toys, books, photos, etc.)
- Chat about why you should never play in or drive through floodwater.
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Keeping Flood Safe
Floods are influenced largely by the weather and can happen in any place, at any time of the year. Here are some helpful resources to assist you and your family – a short video, information guide and suggested activities including printable colouring-in sheets.
Watch this video as a family – Dangers of Floodwaters
Here is an information guide to being Flood Smart (PDF)
Suggested Activities
- Flood Safety Colouring-in – Print and Colour (PDF)
- Online Colouring-In
- Pack an emergency kit together. Involve children in this process so they begin to know how to prepare and respond to flood emergencies.
- Have a relocation kit in case you need to leave your home. Children can pack their own special belongings to take with them when leaving early (e.g. special toys, books, photos, etc.)
- Chat about why you should never play in or drive through floodwater.
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Natural Disaster Recovery Storybooks
Reading a story with a caring adult can help a young child work through the scary experiences and ‘big feelings’. These stories are about disasters that can affect your community.
Birdie and the Fire – Book
Birdie and the Big Sickness - Book
Parents Tips for Reading the Birdie Storybooks (PDF)
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More Information
If you would like more information, factsheets and activities for children, please access the Safety Information and School Aged Education pages on the DFES website.
Safety Information
School Education
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Useful Links
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