What you'll learn:
- Why you should install smoke alarms where babies and children sleep.
- What to consider in your family's home fire escape plan.
- The common risks to children in the home.
- How to increase fire safety in the home.
- How to prevent and treat scalds and burns.
Who is it for?
The Early Fire Safe program is for parents/carers of children under five years old. It's delivered in a group environment, such as through a Maternal Child and Health (MCH) service.
Why the Early Fire Safe program exists
Young children aged 0 to 4 are at higher risk of home fire fatalities, burn and scald injuries and impacts from bushfire.
What happens during the session
The Early Fire Safe program is an hour-long home fire safety education session, run by a trained CFA member with a group of parents/carers.
The CFA member explains why smoke alarms are recommended anywhere children sleep. They then discuss how to prevent fires starting and what to do if one does start. Burn and scald prevention is also included alongside first aid. If parents are from a bushfire risk area, bushfire planning is included.
They also provide basic fire safety information to prevent house fires, and encourage parents/carers to have a home fire escape plan and to install smoke alarms anywhere children sleep.
Program cost
The Early Fire Safe program is free.
Who can access Early Fire Safe
Early Fire Safe is delivered to groups, such as new parents through their Maternal Child and Health (MCH) service. Existing community and social groups are welcome to enquire about having a CFA member attend to deliver the program.
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and Aboriginal MCH workers can help families improve home fire safety by having open discussions. Key risk factors include children having access to matches and lighters, lack of supervision, and limited parental fire safety knowledge.
You are not responsible for testing smoke alarms but you are able to have a discussion and prompt action with parents.
If you have concerns about a child's safety, contact your allocated MCH nurse or the Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Families with children from birth to age 4 can speak with an MCH nurse for advice and support.
Helpful resources:
Page last updated: Thursday, 8 October 2026 2:36:36 PM