Gransnet forums

Chat

Fire education needed?

(30 Posts)
eddiecat78 Sat 15-Aug-26 10:40:25

Years ago I watched an interview with a fire officer who came from an inner city area which had an arson problem. He was running courses in schools to educate children about fire. His explanation was that, unlike our generation, they had very little experience of fire - they didn't have coal fires in their homes or gardens where bonfires were regular things. I think most of us grew up naturally learning - sometimes painfully that fire is dangerous and has to be respected.
In view of current events perhaps it is time for something like this to be included in the curriculum.
(As an aside I was recently helping a 12 year old to iron something. She is from a non-ironing household and was desperate to touch the iron "to see how hot it is". In the end I let her touch some cloth that had just been ironed and she conceded that it was "rather hot".)

OldFrill Sat 15-Aug-26 19:57:55

A level pyrotechnics

MissAdventure Sat 15-Aug-26 19:59:35

grin

MartavTaurus Sat 15-Aug-26 20:55:17

MissAdventure

I think it's an excellent idea for achools to teach fire safety.
It coukd include an element of first aid, too.

We used to invite local firemen into school to talk to the children, primary age. It's far more meaningful and serious coming from a man in uniform, (!!), and the warnings stay with the children from a young age.

MartavTaurus Sat 15-Aug-26 21:00:29

GrannySomerset

Yes, let’s add compulsory fire safety lessons to the already overloaded school curriculum. Is there anything that teachers shouldn’t be responsible for teaching?

True, but sometimes there are more valuable lessons to be taught than a morning of teaching Algebra or Adverbs.

But I would say that, (independent school), where we are allowed to tweek the curriculum and teach what we feel is most important at any particular time!