3.3. Identify own action to maintain a young child’s safety if there was fire in the house

This guide will help you answer 3.3. Identify own action to maintain a young child’s safety if there was fire in the house.

If a fire starts in a house where you are caring for young children, your actions must be quick, calm and safe. You hold responsibility for protecting the children in your care, and every decision you take should place their safety first. Young children cannot protect themselves in this situation. They rely entirely on you to act decisively, guide them, and remove them from danger.

Preparing Before an Emergency Happens

Preparation means thinking ahead about how you would act. You should know the fire evacuation plan for your setting and where the safe exits are. You must be clear about how to get everyone out and where to gather once outside.

Key points to prepare:

• Know at least two exit routes from each part of the building
• Keep keys in easy reach if doors are locked
• Make sure escape routes are not blocked
• Know how to call the fire service quickly
• Practise what to say to the children to keep them calm and moving forward

Young children often react with confusion and fear during an emergency. Your voice must be firm but reassuring.

Immediate Response When a Fire is Discovered

When you notice a fire or smoke, your first action is to raise the alarm. This may mean activating an alarm system or shouting a clear statement like “Fire, get out.” Do not delay to collect personal items. Your focus should be on the children.

Your actions should include:

• Recognise signs of fire, such as smoke, heat, or unusual smell
• Shout to alert others quickly
• Move towards the nearest safe exit with the children
• Keep low if smoke is present
• Close doors behind you to slow down the spread of fire

Never try to put out a fire unless it is safe, small, and part of your training. If the fire is spreading or producing heavy smoke, your priority is full evacuation.

Keeping Young Children Safe During Evacuation

Young children may freeze, cry, or hide during a fire. You will need to guide them clearly. Physical support might be necessary for babies and toddlers. Preschool children can walk but may need firm direction.

Key steps:

• Lift or carry infants securely against your body
• Lead toddlers by the hand, keeping them close
• Encourage older children to stay in a line and keep moving
• Use a calm voice and simple language, such as “We are going outside, stay with me”
• Avoid abrupt movements that could scare them further

Your confidence will help keep the children from panicking. Never allow children to return for toys or belongings.

Special Considerations for Different Age Groups

Each age group will need a different approach.

Babies:

• Keep them securely held in your arms or in an evacuation carry cot if available
• Protect their head and face from heat and smoke

Toddlers:

• Hold their hand or carry them if they are too distressed to walk
• Speak calmly and keep sentences short so they understand

Preschool children:

• Give direct instructions that they can follow
• Keep them moving toward the exit without stopping

Children with additional needs:

• Consider sensory sensitivities and mobility limitations in your evacuation plan
• Use pre-planned strategies agreed beforehand, such as specialist equipment or one-to-one support during exit

Using Fire Safety Equipment

In a home setting, fire safety equipment may include smoke alarms, fire blankets, and extinguishers. Test alarms regularly and know where equipment is kept. During a fire, your main focus is to move children to safety, so use equipment only if it is safe and does not delay evacuation.

Smoke alarms:

• Alert you to danger quickly
• Should be tested regularly

Fire blankets:

• Can smother small fires
• Only use if trained and safe to do so

Fire extinguishers:

• Different types tackle different fires
• Use only if trained, safe, and the fire is small

Calling for Help

Once you are safely outside, call the fire service. In the UK, the number is 999. State clearly:

• Your name
• The address of the fire
• That children are involved
• The location of the fire in the building

Do not end the call until the operator says it is fine to do so.

If you live in an area with poor phone signal, know where the nearest neighbour or public phone is located.

Staying Safe Outside

Once out of the building, go to the pre-arranged safe assembly point. This area should be far enough away to avoid heat, smoke, and any falling debris. Keep children together and do a quick headcount. Reassure everyone until the fire service arrives.

Do not allow anyone to return to the building until the fire service confirms it is safe.

Avoiding Common Mistakes During a Fire

Some mistakes can put children and adults at risk. Knowing these will help you avoid them.

Common mistakes:

• Stopping to collect belongings
• Trying to put out a large fire instead of evacuating
• Forgetting to close doors behind you
• Allowing children to scatter or hide
• Forgetting to account for all children before moving away from the building

Practising Fire Drills

Regular practice makes real emergencies safer. Even in a home-based childcare setting, fire drills should be held. This gets children used to moving calmly to an exit without delay.

When practising:

• Keep instructions simple
• Praise children for following directions
• Allow them to ask questions about what happens during a fire
• Practise with and without different routes to prepare for blocked escape paths

Make drills as realistic as possible without causing distress.

Supporting Emotional Needs After a Fire

After escaping a fire, children may feel scared or confused. Offer comfort and reassurance. Explain in simple terms that they are safe and that the people arriving are there to help. Avoid giving overly complex details.

Ways to support emotional needs:

• Cuddle young children to help them calm down
• Use a gentle tone of voice
• Explain that the fire service will fix the problem
• Resume normal routines as soon as possible once safe

Documenting the Incident

Each fire incident should be recorded in line with your organisation’s policies or legal obligations. This may involve writing down the time, date, how it started, and what steps you took. If the fire service attended, include any advice given.

Good records help prevent future incidents and show you followed correct procedures.

Include:

• Sequence of events
• How evacuation happened
• Number of children present
• Any injuries and treatment given
• Final outcome

Working With Parents

After a fire, parents will want to know what happened. Share the facts calmly and clearly. Explain how their children were kept safe and confirm whether the fire service attended. Offer reassurance and be ready for questions.

Points to cover with parents:

• A basic outline of events
• How and where the children were evacuated
• Any emotional support given after the incident
• Plans to review safety procedures

Continuous Improvement

Fire safety is not just about reacting well during an actual fire. It is about learning from incidents and improving your plan. Review your actions afterwards. Look at what worked and what needs to be changed.

Consider:

• Was evacuation fast enough?
• Were exits clear?
• Did all children respond well to instructions?
• Were there any points where safety could have been stronger?

Taking time to adjust plans means you will be better prepared in the future.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining a young child’s safety during a fire in the house requires quick thinking, strong preparation and complete focus on their wellbeing. From raising the alarm and evacuating immediately to offering comfort afterwards, every choice you make should put safety first. Knowing the escape routes, keeping calm, and guiding each child in a clear and confident way make a critical difference.

Children rely fully on the adults around them during emergencies. The way you act shows them they can trust you. If you prepare well, practise regularly, and stay focused under pressure, you give them the best chance of coming through a dangerous situation unharmed. Your actions can save lives, and your ability to stay calm will help young children feel protected even in frightening circumstances.