Teach Your Child

A MATCH IS A TOOL
(This information was prepared by the National Institute for Burn Medicine, and is sponsored by the Santa Monica Fire Department, Fire Prevention and Education.)s enforce a "don't touch" or "hands-off" policy. Keep matches, lighters, and other flammables out of reach and your home fire-proofed.

When the child reaches age five, teach the child proper and safe use of fire and matches. The parent and child must work together to establish that matches are tools with specific use and that there are firm rules for fire safety.

• A Match is a Tool Each tool is designed for a specific purpose. A match has a specific function; to light candles, start a fire in the fireplace, light campfires, etc. A match is a tool, not a toy. Teach your children to use a match as a tool and provide opportunities to use a match in safe situations, as the beginning of fire safety.
   
• Include the child in the conversation - don't lecture.
   
• Ask the child to tell you about the tools in the house and the purpose of each tool. Ask you child to tell you about toys.
   
• Ask for examples of when a fire is safely used, for example: candles, fireplace, barbeque, burning trash or leaves.
   
• Outline the rules for match safety.
   
• Ask the child to repeat the rules.
   
• Arrange situations where the child can use matches as a tool. Have the child light birthday candles, candles on the dinner table, or light a fire in the fireplace. Arrange to take the child camping and demonstrate how to build a campfire or ask the scout leader to provide this demonstration.
   
• Rules of Match Safety
   
• Matches are used only with supervision from a parent or other adult.
   
• Matches are used for a specific purpose such as helping parents light a candle, a campfire, a fire in the fireplace.
   
• MATCHES ARE NEVER FOR PLAY.
   
• Any matches or lighters that are found should be brought to the parent to be put in a safe place.
   
• Report children who play with matches to parents or adults. This is done for the other child's safety - to protect him, not to get him in trouble.
   
• If children want to light a match, ask parents to supervise.
   

Safe Way to Light a Match

• Remove a match from the book or box and close the cover

• Hold the match near the middle – not too close to the match head, nor too close to the end.  This is important because children frequently grab the match to close to the flame, drop the match when it ignites, and can catch their clothing on fire.

• Hold the match and cover away from the body and clothing, over an ashtray or another safe area.  Strike the match away from the body (not toward the body).

• Strike the match on its side, not flat, to keep it from bending.

• When the match is lit, hold it level or upward, never downward so it burns your hand.  Explain how fire burns up.

• Safely dispose of spent materials in an ashtray or sand.  Explain that the match should be cool or cold before placing in a wastebasket.

• Return the unused matches to a safe place,  Explain why match should be kept out of reach of small children.  Explain why matches should be kept in a cool try place.

HINTS

• Demonstrate the correct actions with the child.

• Praise the child often for correct actions.

• Repeat the demonstration as often as needed.

• Explain what could happen if it were done in the wrong way.

• While lighting the match, explain (don’t lecture) safety features and safe uses of matches.

• Plan to spend at least ten or fifteen minutes with the child at a time when you are relaxed and won’t be interrupted.

• Plan to stop when the child demonstrates disinterest or boredom.  Some children feign disinterest, so at least complete the demonstration and have them light one or two matches before stopping.

• Plan to demonstrate the correct method to light matches at least three times a week.

• Have the child demonstrate and tell one adult the safety points about lighting a match.

• Praise your child’s ability to other adults in the presence of the child.

• Reinforce the rules consistently.

• Provide opportunities to use a match as a tool.

The material was prepared by the National Institute for Burn Medicine.  Matthew P. Maley of the Shriners’ Burns Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio originated the slogan and first developed the Match is a Tool Program.