Fire Safety – Because Stop, Drop, and Roll Is Still a Thing

Fire: it’s cozy in a fireplace, romantic on a candle, and terrifying everywhere else.

And while we like to think of home as “safe,” let’s be honest—between candles, cooking, space heaters, and kids who think matches are toys, our houses are basically tinderboxes with Wi-Fi.

That’s why fire safety isn’t just a nice idea. It’s survival 101.

The Smoke Alarm Conspiracy

Smoke alarms are lifesavers. They cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Which is why every dad has at least one smoke alarm that only goes off when you burn toast—and stays silent during actual emergencies.

Still, keep them installed, tested, and with fresh batteries. Bonus points if you replace them before they start beeping at 2 a.m. like a deranged cricket.

Fire Drills: Not Just for Schools

When was the last time you practiced a fire drill at home?

Kids need to know what to do if the smoke alarm goes off. Where’s the exit? Where do we meet outside? What if the hallway is blocked? These aren’t paranoid questions—they’re life-saving ones.

And yes, your kids will roll their eyes. They’ll say, “Really, Dad? A drill at home?” Smile, nod, and run the drill anyway. Because one practice run now beats panic later.

Stop, Drop, and Roll: Still Relevant

Every dad remembers learning it in school: stop, drop, and roll. It sounds goofy until you realize clothing can catch fire faster than you can yell “don’t play near the grill!”

Teach it. Practice it. Make it fun if you have to. Because while the odds are low, the consequences are high. And that’s the whole point of fire safety.

Kitchen Chaos

The #1 cause of home fires? Cooking. And no, it’s not just from dads who think grilling indoors is a good idea.

Kids love “helping” in the kitchen, which is adorable right up until they grab a pan handle or reach for the oven door. My rule: no touching the stove unless you’re old enough to look into a pot without standing on a chair. And even then, only with supervision.

Also: keep the fire extinguisher nearby and teach your kids how to use it. It’s not a Nerf blaster.

Candles, Lighters, and Other Fun Killers of Calm

Nothing makes me more nervous than kids near candles. They see “birthday party.” I see “tiny torch next to curtains.”

The rule in my house is simple: candles, lighters, and matches are adult-only. And if the kids want “ambiance”? That’s what battery-powered candles are for.

Stats That Should Make You Pay Attention

• Every 93 seconds, a home fire starts in the U.S. (NFPA).

• Cooking causes nearly half of all home fires.

• Three out of five home fire deaths happen in houses without working smoke alarms.

• Kids playing with fire? They start more than 7,000 home fires every year.

Still think that “fire drill at home” sounds silly? Didn’t think so.

Dad’s Reflection

I’ll admit—I used to roll my eyes at fire safety. Seemed like one of those boring, overcautious things. But the older I get, the more I realize that boring is good. Boring means safe.

My daughter doesn’t need to grow up afraid of fire. But she does need to respect it. She needs to know that smoke isn’t “just annoying”—it’s deadly. That alarms aren’t “too loud”—they’re warnings. That stop, drop, and roll isn’t just a rhyme—it’s survival.

Fire safety is one of those lessons I hope she never has to use. But if she does, I want her ready.

A Challenge for Other Dads

This week, check your smoke alarms. Replace the batteries. Walk your kids through an escape plan. Point out the exits, choose a meeting spot, and yes—practice.

Then talk about candles, lighters, and cooking. Make fire safety part of your everyday awareness, not just a once-a-year thought.

Because raising leaders isn’t about filling their heads with fear. It’s about equipping them to face life’s dangers with confidence.

And sometimes, it’s about making sure your kid knows how to stop, drop, and roll—before the day they actually need it.