Learn Not to Burn

Canada's statistics of fire-related deaths and burn injuries are among the worst in the industrialized world. On average, approximately 500 Canadians lose their lives to fire annually. A large percentage of these victims are children.

Canada became the first country in which the Learn Not To Burn® program was implemented nationally. The Learn Not To Burn® program teaches 22 fire and burn prevention behaviours to elementary school children, and 8 behaviors to preschool children. Based on the National Fire Protection Association's curriculum, it includes songs, stories, puppets, games and other activities to teach fire safety behaviours (e.g., Stop, Drop and Roll, crawl low under smoke) in a way that children can understand and remember. This program has been credited with saving lives throughout North America.

If you home school your children, please contact the department for age appropriate fire safety material.

At Brandon Fire & Emergency Services, this program is coordinated by our Public Education Officer.

For more information, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

8 Key Fire Safety Behaviours for Preschool Children

1. Stay away from hot things that can hurt.
2. Tell a grown-up when you find matches or lighters.
3. Stop, drop and roll if your clothes catch fire.
4. Cool a burn.
5. Crawl low under the smoke.
6. Know the sound of the smoke detector.
7. Practice an escape plan - know 2 ways out of every room.
8. Recognize the fire fighter as a helper.

22 Key Fire Safety Behaviours for Elementary Children

Priority 1 - Protection (When Fires Occur):

1. Responds correctly during fire and smoke drills at school.
2. Uses a home escape plan.
3. Identifies exit signs and knows two ways out in public places.
4. Performs the crawl-low-in-smoke procedure.
5. Reports fire and smoke immediately.
6. Performs the stop, drop and roll procedure.
7. Initiates first aid practices for burns.

Priority 2 - Prevention (Before Fires Occur):

1. Uses matches and lighters safely.
2. Practices kitchen safety.
3. Practices fire safety around heating sources.
4. Practices fire safety with flammable liquids.
5. Practices outdoor fire safety.
6. Practices fire safety with small electrical appliances.
7. Participates in home hazard inspections.
8. Practices Holiday fire safety.
9. Follows fire safety procedures when baby-sitting.
10. Practices scald and contact burn prevention.

Priority 3 - Persuasion:

1. Encourages fire-safe smoking habits.
2. Installs and maintains smoke detectors.
3. Practices outdoor electrical safety.
4. Recognizes the fire department as a partner in community services.
5. Recognizes the dangers of false alarms.

Stop, Drop and Roll

You have probably heard it before, but do you know what it means? Do you know when to do Stop, Drop, and Roll?

Let's say you have followed all of the fire safety rules you have learned here on my webpages and something terrible happens. You accidentally catch your clothes on fire. You are burning. What should you do?

Stop what you are doing, do not run. If your run you will fan the flames making a BIGGER fire.

Drop to the ground, fall down, dive to the ground, or lay down - just GET DOWN!

Roll on the floor like a steamroller. All the way round and back the other way. This will smother the flames and put out the fire. DO NOT STOP! You will need to roll and roll until someone stops you. While you are rolling, I want you to scream. Make as much noise as you can so that an adult will come and help you. Just remember do not stop rolling until you are told to stop.

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