Fire safety is crucial for every child to learn from a young age. Knowing what to do when there’s a fire in the home, how to get to a safe place, and who to call for help are all important skills for kids to know.
But, when you have a child with autism, there are unique challenges to work through when it comes to fire safety. As a parent or caregiver, you must create helpful, effective strategies your child can practice to create a secure home environment.
Fire Safety for Children With Autism
It’s not impossible to teach essential fire safety skills just because your child has autism. Rather, consider how you can find unique ways to ensure they are well-prepared in a fire emergency. Additionally, ensure you plan to protect them and the rest of your family if you ever experience a fire at home.
If you’re unsure where to start, try implementing some of these strategies (and practice them frequently) to ensure everyone stays as safe as possible.
Use Visual Representation
Experiencing a fire can be scary for anyone — including adults! However, many children with autism respond well to visual schedules. Consider printing out flashcards of everything that might happen during a fire, from the initial smell of smoke to the moment help arrives. Allow your child to put them in a sequential order so they know the safety plan for your family. It’s a great visual representation that can be easy for them to remember and put into practice if that situation ever arises.
Roleplaying can help your autistic child understand what to do in a fire. It gives them a visual idea of what to expect and what to do when facing that emergency. Get the whole family involved and rehearse what should happen from start to finish if there’s ever a fire at home. You can practice how everyone will get out of their rooms, which routes to take out of the home, and where you will meet outside.
It can also help to have signs around your home for your child to recognize easily. They can serve as directional cues to remind them of your plan, so even if they’re feeling overstimulated in an emergency, they will quickly be reminded of how to stay on track and get to safety.
Important Behaviors
Not every child on the autism spectrum is verbal. If they struggle to communicate verbally, teach them other ways to call for help in an emergency. For example, part of your safety strategy could be for your autistic child to blow a whistle so they can be found and helped quickly by a family member or firefighter.
If your child does have communication skills, teach them how to dial 911, if possible. Again, repetition is important. Once they know how to dial the number, try roleplaying what they should say in the call, including things like:
⦁ Your address
⦁ What’s happening
⦁ Distinctive features of your home
⦁ Where your safety location is
⦁ Where other family members are
Finally, address any specific behaviors your child might have if you’re worried they could be harmful in a fire. For example, it’s not uncommon for some autistic children to be very attached to certain toys or stuffed animals. They might be tempted to grab those belongings or even go back into the house for them once they’ve reached safety because they don’t understand how dangerous it is. Part of your plan must cover that they should never return to fire for any reason.
Cover Every Area of the Home
Unfortunately, fires are unpredictable. You don’t know where or when they might happen. So, don’t make a plan that only focuses on one area of the home, from the kitchen to the garage. If there is a fire in the garage, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to get out. Have multiple escape routes for your family so you can avoid certain areas if they might be compromised with smoke or flames.
It’s a good rule of thumb to give everyone in the family a specific job to handle if there’s ever a fire but don’t put too much pressure on your child with autism. Consider it enough as long as they understand the escape routes and know exactly what to do in an emergency. Putting more on their plate, especially in a stressful experience, could cause them to become overstimulated and overwhelmed, putting everyone in danger.
Finally, be proactive about fire safety. You can do your part to reduce the risk of a fire at home by making sure everything is well-maintained and not putting off repairs, especially electrical issues like:
⦁ A circuit breaker that keeps tripping
⦁ Loose outlets
⦁ Buzzing sounds
⦁ Flickering lights
⦁ Hot ceiling fixtures
Fire Safety for Children With Autism
Teaching your autistic child about fire safety might take a bit more time, and you might face a few challenges. But you know your child better than anyone. Putting together a strategy that leans into their strengths and working with them multiple times will offer peace of mind that your entire family can and will stay safe if you’re ever caught in a fire emergency.