Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Education Program for Preschoolers and Their Families

Fires and burns are a big problem in America for preschool-aged children. Each year, thousands are injured or killed from accidents in the home that could be prevented. That's why the Home Safety Council has teamed up with Weekly Reader Custom Publishing on Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Program for Preschoolers and their Families.

Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Office of Domestic Preparedness, Start Safe provides resources for preschool teachers and administrators to work hand-in-hand with a local fire department. Working together, using developmentally-appropriate teaching tools from Start Safe, teachers and local fire safety experts can deliver life-saving lessons to the preschoolers. Perhaps even more importantly, they can also reach parents and caregivers with key safety messages and help them take action to reduce the risk of fires and burns at home.

Expert Network members will receive a free copy of the Start Safe Program throughout September 2009.

• Not an Expert Network member? Click here to join – it’s free!
• Click here to view the archived Start Safe Webinar and learn more about the program.
• Check out the free, downloadable materials below!

Tools for Educators

Start Safe has everything you need to deliver effective preschool fire and burn safety education in the classroom or community.

Materials available online include:

• Eight-page teacher's guide with bilingual student activities
• Eight-page expert guide with bilingual student activities
• Invitation to Parents (Spanish)
• "I Spot Something Hot!" Big Book for classroom reading
• "I Spot Something Hot" Video (English)
• "I Spot Something Hot" Video (Spanish)
• “I Spot Something Hot" Song
• "I Spot Something Hot" Song Lyrics
• Hand puppet activity
• A program evaluation form
• Start Safe Program Certificate
• Start Safe Program Certificate of Appreciation
• Video Segment 1: Getting Started in Your Community
• Video Segment 2: What’s in the Start Safe Program?
• Video Segment 3: Age-Appropriate Learning
• Video Segment 4: Evaluating the Start Safe Program
• Frequently Asked Questions

Tools for Parents

• Mini, take-home versions of the "I Spot Something Hot!" Big Book
• Black & White “My Home Escape Map” grid
• A parent resource booklet in English
• A parent resource booklet in Spanish
• Start Safe Video for Parents & Caregivers

A national Start Safe training program was conducted by HSC in Orlando, Florida, April 26-28, 2009. Funded in part through a generous donation from Tyco International, the training brought together 13 teams of Head Start teachers, parents and fire and life safety educators to introduce them to the Start Safe program and provide best practices for implementation.

The Home Safety Council will formally evaluate the Start Safe program during a 10-week pilot test and use the findings to revise the guidance materials for program implementation. Start Safe was distributed to 6,700 Head Start preschool classrooms across America. The free program is being offered to the fire service through HSC's Expert Network resource.

A special thanks to Fire Protection Publications at Oklahoma State University and to ProLiteracy as well as the following program sponsors: