Youth Safety Education

We are committed to educating our South Kitsap community – children, families, and caregivers about fire and life safety. The information provided on this page is tailored for parents, caregivers, and workers who have or work with children. Keeping our youth safe starts with understanding the risks they may be exposed to and empowering yourself with the knowledge you need to know to mitigate those risks.

Fire Safety Basics for Children

Teaching children how to prevent and respond to fires and emergencies can save lives. We recommend providing age-appropriate explanations and practicing safety routines helps children feel confident and prepared in an emergency situation.

Below are some basic key points to go over with kids:

  • How fires start and why they are dangerous
  • What to do if smoke or fire is detected in the home
  • How to practice STOP, DROP, and ROLL

Check out the video below on the basic science of fire and how you can help prevent fires and burns at home.

Play Video

The Science of Fire”

Play Video

How to Prevent Fires & Burns at Home

Youth Fire Intervention & Education

Children’s curiosity about fire is natural, but unsafe fire behavior can be dangerous. Adults can guide children by:

  • Explaining the dangers of matches, lighters, and other ignition sources
  • Encouraging safe curiosity through observation, discussion, and age-appropriate activities
  • Reinforcing rules about when and where it’s safe to use fire (like campfires under supervision)

View our list of 14 Ways Parents Can Keep Children Safe Around Fire & Myths vs Facts List on Youth Fire Setting for more information. If you have continued concern for your youth when it comes to fire setting, South Kitsap Fire and Rescue offers a Juvenile Firesetters Program to provide guidance and resources for adults who are concerned about youth experimenting with fire.

Window Fall Prevention – STOP at 4

Falls from windows are a preventable cause of childhood injury. The STOP at 4” campaigns for child safety by raising awareness in window fall prevention. It highlights a key guideline for windows that should only open a maximum of 4 inches to prevent falls. Adults can also help keep children safe from the window by:

  • Keeping furniture and climbable objects away from the windows
  • Establishing a “Kid-Free Zone” in front of windows, establishing rules to not play near windows
  • Using window stops or guards to limit openings to 4 inches or less
  • Teach children the function of windows screens to keep buys out
  • Keep windows closed and locked if not in use
  • Do not let children watch you operate child safety products (remember that children imitate adults)

These simple precautions, combined with supervision, greatly reduce the risk of falls. Below are additional guidelines and steps you can follow:

  • S – Supervise: Always watch young children around windows.
  • T – Teach: Educate children about the dangers of climbing near windows.
  • O– Objects: Keep furniture, toys, or other climbable items away from windows.
  • P – Prevention: Install window stops or guards that limit openings to 4 inches or less.

Bicycle Safety for Kids

Bicycling is a fun way for children to stay active, but safe riding habits are essential. Adults can help children:

  • Wear a properly fitted helmet every time they ride
  • Understand and follow local traffic rules
  • Use reflective clothing and lights for visibility
  • Ride on designated bike paths or streets with safe infrastructure

Hands-on First Aid & CPR for Youth

Introducing children to basic life-saving skills helps them feel confident and prepared:

  • Teach older kids Hands-Only CPR and basic first aid techniques
  • Encourage children to know how to call 911 in an emergency
  • Practice fire drills and emergency evacuation procedures at home

Get Involved & Schedule a Lesson

South Kitsap Fire and Rescue offers Youth Hands-Only CPR (ages 12 to 18) classes for free during Spring break and Summer. And for pre-teens and teens ages 11 to 14 who may help babysit or watch younger siblings, we have a Safe Sitter® Essentials class offered through the summer quarter. See our list of events and Training & Certification page to learn more.

For educators in the South Kitsap School District, we offer educational lessons on fire and health safety for the classroom. Fill out our contact form online or call our admin office at (360) 871-2411 to request a lesson.