50+ Essential Home Fire Safety Products for Kids and Families
Keeping your family safe is your Number 1 priority, so it’s no wonder fire prevention and fire safety are on your mind.
Most likely, you’ve already taken the standard precautions: you have smoke detectors installed throughout your home; you have strategically positioned several fire extinguishers; and you’ve taught your kids not to play with matches. You may have an oven lock and the grill’s gas tank is probably stored out of reach of your littlest family members.
But what else can you do to keep your family safe? How can you prevent fires from happening in the first place? And how can you prepare for the possibility of a home fire? What steps can you take to keep you family safe?
First, have a look at our guide to Fire Safety for Kids. Then, check out the following list. These 50 products will help you keep your family safe and protected from the threat of fire.
Fire Prevention Products
Fire prevention is your best fire safety weapon, so we’ve stacked this category high and wide with products we love. These items will help you teach your kids about fire prevention and safety, and will help prevent a fire from ever starting in your home. Because while we understand the importance of knowing the escape route and sounding the alarm, what we really want is for your family to avoid a fire in the first place.
1. Fire Safety Books
A book may not seem like a number-one placeholder on a list of must-have fire prevention products, but if you have young children in the house, one of the best fire prevention methods is old-fashioned education. Pick up a few books on fire safety and prevention and, if it sparks your children’s interest, one or two on firefighters. These books are written with kids in mind, so they’ll help drill important messages and debunk fears, all while entertaining.
Also Try: Sparky the Fire Dog or Matthew the Monkey Goes Bananas for Fire Safety
2. Fire Safety Coloring Book
After reading books about fire safety, what’s the next logical thing? Coloring, of course. Fire safety/prevention coloring & activity books let kids do what they love, but also work to reinforce the lessons you (and your kiddos’ favorite books) have taught.
Also Try: Futoro’s Fire Safety Coloring Book For Kids or Fire Department: Marty and Jetts’ Activity Book: Let’s Have Fun with Fire Safety
3. Fire Safety Movies
The final addition to our fire safety education stash, movies can serve as an entertaining and educational final reinforcement to your fire safety lessons. Let your kids interact, laugh, shout and watch other kids learn about fire prevention and safety. If they’re anything like our kids, they’ll ask to watch the movies over and over again, truly internalizing the message.
Also Try: Safety Smart Science with Bill Nye the Science Guy: Fire Classroom Edition [Interactive DVD] or Firefighter George & Fire Engines, Fire Trucks, and Fire Safety, Volume 1
4. Fire Escape Plan
This isn’t a product, but it is a necessity: when everyone is calm and paying attention, sit down for a family meeting to discuss your fire exit route. Let your kids talk about their fears and anxieties, and explain how a well planned and practiced escape route is the best, most effective way to keep your family safe. For more information, check out our guide on creating a family fire escape plan.
5. Extension Cord with Fire Shield
You likely have extension cords threaded throughout your house, but did you know they may not be perfectly fireproof? Extension cords with built-in fire shields take prevention to the next level with automatic sensors that detect overload, overheating, pinching or other factors that can cause electrical fires.
Also Try: TRC 90819 FIRST ALERT LCDI Safety Extension Cord, Protected with Fire Shield, 3-Outlet, 9-Feet or TRC 90820 FIRST ALERT LCDI Safety Extension Cord, Protected with Fire Shield, 1-Outlet, 6-Feet
6. Flame-Resistant Pajamas
The very idea of flame-retardant pajamas is terrifying for any parent, but it’s a discussion we need to have. With babies and toddlers, it is essential to clothe them in pajamas that will not catch fire if they get too close to the stove, the grill, or other open flame. These pjs come in two basic versions: fleece footies/sleepers that are treated with flame-retardants, or close-fitting cotton pajamas with no loose parts that could catch fire.
Also Try: Saras Prints Little Boys Flame Resistant Two Piece Pajama Set or Leveret Striped 2 Piece Pajama Set
7. Safety Pilot Light
If you own a liquid propane or natural gas-fueled vented fireplace, consider installing a safety pilot light. There’s a handy on/off switch, but what’s most useful is the automatic shutoff if the internal flame is accidentally extinguished. Bonus: it’s 100% carbon monoxide and oxygen depletion safe.
8. Childproof Lighters
Kids are curious and they love fire. Having lighters around can be dangerous, especially with young children who haven’t had enough time to absorb your fire prevention talks. Invest in a few childproof lighters, which require extra coordination to light. Always keep fire-starters far out of children’s reach.
Also Try: Calico Hot Shot 2 Wind Resistant Lighter or Refillable Lighter for Kitchen Camping Grilling BBQ Home Adjustable Flame
9. Heat-Resistant Gloves
Kitchen accidents are an unfortunate but all-too-common cause of home fires around the country. Reduce your risk of dropping hot pots, plates and dishes full of hot oil and flammable ingredients with heat-resistant gloves. You’ll be happily surprised to know they work as well, if not better than oven mitts!
Also Try: VERANO KITCHEN PREMIUM Silicone BBQ Gloves or KitchCo Premium Silicone BBQ Gloves
10. Flame-Resistant Oven Mitts
If you’re a hardcore fan of oven mitts (and who could blame you?), do invest in a set or two of the flame-resistant variety. If you accidentally place them on the stovetop or drop one in the oven, these puppies won’t light the entire kitchen on fire.
Also Try: 17-Inch Flame Resistant Oven Mitts or Winco Flame Resistant Oven Mitt
11. Flammable Storage Safety Cabinet
Flammable liquids and kids don’t mix. Take precautions with a flammable storage safety cabinet. It’s similar in theory (and execution) to a gun cabinet, locking away dangerously flammable materials behind lock and key. Or combination, depending on your preference.
Also Try: Justrite Sure-Grip EX 893000 Safety Cabinet for Flammable Liquids or Eagle 1932SC6 Combo Safety Cabinet for Flammable Liquids
12. Fireplace Door Lock
It can be a little nerve-wracking, not to mention dangerous, to have a crawler or toddler near your fireplace. Be smart with a fireplace door lock, which closes your fireplace against investigative and tiny hands. Bonus: it’ll keep any dying embers from hopping onto your carpet, after you’ve finished enjoying the flames.
Also Try: Baby Safety Fence Auto-Close Hearth Gate or Auto Close HearthGate
13. Safety Gas Shut-off Valve
If you’ve ever forgotten to turn off your gas grill supply, this one’s for you. These useful timers will automatically switch off your gas cylinder after a set period of time, thus reducing the risk of gas leaks (and their accompanying fires).
Also Try: GASAV-R WA-2 Automatic Shut-Off and Timer Valve
14. Oven Front Lock
If you have curious little ones and haven’t already babyproofed your stove, snap up an oven lock immediately. These ingenious little gadgets lock your oven door, so even the most inquisitive toddlers can’t break into the fiery hazards within.
Also Try: Dreambaby Swivel Oven Lock with EZ-Check Indicator
15. Stove Knob Covers
And speaking of your stove, while you’re installing the oven lock, pick up some stove knob covers. These snap-on doodads make it impossible for determined little ones, even as they stretch up on their tippiest tiptoes, to turn on your stovetop burners.
Also Try: Dreambaby 4 Pack Stove Knob Covers or TotShield Stove Guard for Free Standing Gas and Electric Stoves
16. Outlet Tester
Outlet testers are a very inexpensive, very useful tool for checking your home’s electrical system on a regular basis. Just plug it into the wall, and you’ll know immediately whether any of your outlets could cause potential problems. I can almost hear Smokey the Bear saying, “Only YOU can prevent home electrical fires.”
Also Try: GE 3-Wire Receptacle Tester 50542 or GE GFCI Tester 50957
17. Safe Portable Space Heater
Portable space heaters are incredibly cozy during the coldest months, but they can also be dangerous around pets and young ones, especially when tipped over. Take precautions with the newest technology in space heaters, which feature auto-shut off when tipped and when the pilot light goes out, and can even detect low oxygen levels in the room.
Also Try: Lasko 754200 Ceramic Heater with Adjustable Thermostat or Lasko 5307 Oscillating Ceramic Tower Heater, 16-Inch
18. Fire-Safe Wastebasket
We’re not implying that you should burn refuse in your wastebasket, but you should still consider a fire-resistant wastebasket. They’re the same price as standard trashcans, but with the added benefit of being resistant to kitchen calamities like hot oil, as well as not-quite-stubbed-out cigarettes or even an electrical fire fed by office papers. Plus, they’re sweet looking. Win-win.
Also Try: Rubbermaid Commercial Polyethylene Fire-Safe Step-On Receptacle or Rubbermaid WB26AL Fire-Safe Wastebasket, Round, Steel, 6 1/2 gal, Almond
19. Fire-Safe Gasoline Can
Do you store gasoline for your lawn mower or other home tools? If so, you need a safety gas can, which features proper venting, is 100% leak-proof, and has a flame-resistant arrestor screen. It’ll be the best investment you make in your garage, at least as far as fire safety’s concerned.
Also Try: Eagle UI-2-S Red Galvanized Steel Type I Gas Safety Canor Justrite AccuFlow 7250130 Type II Galvanized Steel Safety Can
20. Fire Block Foam
Unless you’re a skilled DIYer, this may be one precaution best left to your contractor. Either way, consider spraying this expanding, flame-resistant foam into nooks, crevices and anywhere you want to encourage the slowest possible spread of fire.
Also Try: Green Professional Quality Spray Foam Gun
21. Fire-Resistant Hearth Rug
Yes, we’re back on the topic of cozy, on-purpose fires – the kind you keep in the fireplace. But this time, we’re talking fire prevention too, in the form of flame-resistant hearth rugs, which help prevent popping sparks, embers and other fireplace collateral from turning into something much more dangerous. Plus, pinecones are just so irresistibly festive.
Also Try: Minuteman International H-604 Jardinor Flame-Resistant Fiberglass Half-Round Hearth Rug
22. Grill Rug/Pad
Grilling can be an enjoyable family activity during those warm summer months, but we should never forget that it involves open flame. Take extra precautions by placing your grill on top of a flame-resistant grill pad, which will help stop errant sparks or flaming food from becoming anything more.
Also Try: The Original Grill Pad Earthtone Brown Grill Pador Drymate GMC3058 Grill Mat
23. Flame-Retardant Curtains
Outfitting your entire home with flame-retardant curtains may be a bit much – not to mention, a bit constricting to your style – but consider hanging these babies in the kitchen, children’s rooms, and other sensitive areas. They’ll afford you a few extra minutes to grab your kids and get out of the house, in case of fire. Bonus: They’re blackout, too.
Also Try: Best Home Fashion Beige Wide Width Flame Retardant Grommet Blackout Curtain or Best Home Fashion Navy Wide Width Flame Retardant Grommet Blackout Curtain
24. Stove Board
If you have a wood stove – oh so cozy! – you should really pick up a stove board. These inexpensive little pads go under your wood stove or heater to provide a buffer between your flooring and the hot, hot stove. That means less chance of fire – and a sleek stove decoration, to boot.
Also Try: Imperial Manufacturing Type 2 Stove Board
25. Grill Cover
Yes, we’re back to the grill again. These puppies dish up a lot of enjoyment, but they are absolutely a point of concern when it comes to fire prevention. Enter the grill cover. It’s not fire resistant and it doesn’t seem to do much (except provide pretty window dressing and ward off dust), but when you consider young kids, a grill cover does one thing perfectly: it keeps small fingers away from ignitions, gas tanks, charcoal, and other fire hazards.
Also Try: Char-Broil 72″ Heavy Duty Grill Cover or Premium Heavy Gauge Barbeque Grill Cover
26. Outlet Covers
Outlet covers – not just to prevent shocks! You probably know these babyproofing necessities for their common use: stopping little ones from sticking their fingers into live plugs. But if you’ve ever watched inquisitive toddlers, you know that they do everything they shouldn’t – including sticking toys and paper clips and zippers and, well, everything into empty plugs. Stop the fire hazard before it starts.
Also Try: Munchkin 36 Count Plug Coversor 30 Fisher Price Shock Guards Child Safety Outlet Covers
27. Flameless Candles
Candles add to the atmosphere of your home, but they can also be a serious fire risk. Eliminate the problem with flameless candles. They flicker, they light, they set the mood – but they’re also safe. So even if you doze off in the tub (although please try to avoid that!) or forget to blow out the candle before you go to bed, you’ll never run the risk of setting flame to your home.
Also Try: Instapark® LCL-24 Battery-powered Flameless LED Tealight Candles, 2-Dozen Packor 3 Pack of Ivory Flameless Pillar Candles with Remote and Timer
28. Fire-safe Ashtray
If you smoke, or ever have guests who smoke, you need a fire-safe ashtray. They’re made from flame-resistant materials, with deep basins that don’t tip easily. So if someone accidentally leaves a lit cigarette unattended, you’re as safe as possible from starting a home fire.
Also Try: Fire Proof Mini-ashtray with Blue Led Light Shine When It Is Opened
29. Fire Guard Spray
Believe it or not, there’s an inexpensive spray that can turn all your favorite textiles into fire-retardant fabrics. It’ll work on natural and manmade fibers, so feel free to apply it to carpets, drapes, curtains and other upholstered fabrics. Not recommended for use on leather, clothing, bedding, or similar fabrics.
Also Try: No-Burn 1102A Original Fire Retardant Spray or Master Flame Fire Retardant
Fire Safety Products
In the event that the worst does occur and there’s a fire in your home, the following products will work hard to keep you safe. They’ll sound the alarm, both to you and emergency rescue workers, while they get you to safety and keep your most important possessions from burning.
30. Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are your family’s first alert to dangerous fire, so these are probably the absolute, most important, you-simply-cannot-do-without fire safety product on the market. The general rule of thumb is to install at least one smoke detector/alarm per floor of your home, and one outside every sleeping area of your home. If you can, purchase a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector.
Also Try: Kidde i9040 Fire Sentry Battery-Operated Ionization Sensor Compact Smoke Alarm or Kidde i4618 Firex Hardwire Ionization Smoke Detector with Battery Backup
31. Carbon Monoxide Detectors
If you already have smoke alarms installed, you should purchase at least one carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide, also known as the “silent killer,” causes flu-like symptoms and is undetectable via sight, scent or taste. Protect your family with an inexpensive but life-saving carbon monoxide alarm.
Also Try: First Alert CO600 Plug In Carbon Monoxide Alarm or Kidde KN-COPP-B-LPM Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Digital Display
32. Fire Alarm
If you own a home security system, check whether it includes a fire alarm – an alert system in case of fire. Today, even the DIY-type home alarms have built-in fire security, which will either alert your or, for a small monthly fee, direct-dial the local fire department in case of emergency.
Also Try: Wireless Home Security System w/ Phone Dialer or Ja-10bgsm 101 Zones Wireless GSM Home Security Alarm Burglar + Fire System
33. Fire Extinguishers
Like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers are another obligatory fire safety item to stash around the house. At the very least, keep one in your kitchen, one near the bedrooms, and one on every floor of your home; to be on the safe side, purchase additional extinguishers for each bedroom, the grill area, and other logical spots.
Also Try: Kidde Kitchen/Garage Fire Extinguisher or Fire Gone 2NBFG2704 White/Red Fire Extinguisher
34. Fire Escape Ladder
If you have second- or third-floor bedrooms in your home, fire escape ladders are a must. These lightweight, handy ladders fold up when not in use, but are easy to attach to any window for a safe, fall-free climb out a window if fire were to strike during sleeping hours. Be sure to purchase one for every bedroom.
Also Try: First Alert EL52-2 Two-Story 14-Foot Escape Ladder or Kidde KL-2S Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder with Anti-Slip Rungs, 13-Foot
35. Fireproof Safe
Certain documents and possessions are irreplaceable: original birth certificates, family heirlooms, jewelry, sentimental items, updated wills – your list is your own. But no matter what it is you hold dear, a fireproof safe will protect these items from fire damage.
Also Try: First Alert 2092DF Waterproof 1-Hour Fire Safe with Digital Lock, 1.3 Cubic Feet or SentrySafe 1200BLK Fire Chest
36. Fire-Resistant Document Bags
If you don’t want to invest in a fireproof safe – or simply want backup protection – consider purchasing a few fire-resistant document pouches. They’ll help you keep your valuables protected and, as a bonus, are easily portable: if it’s safe, grab the bag on your way to evacuation.
Also Try: US Patrol Fire Resistant Document Bag or U.S. Patrol JB5076 Fire Resistant Document Bag
37. First Aid Kit
If you’re caught in a home fire, one of the best things you can do is have a first-aid kit waiting at or near your meet-up point. A good kit will come primed with everything you need to clean and dress scratches and scraped knees, but you may want to prime the kit with some additional supplies, like sunburn gel to cool heated skin.
Also Try: Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit (205-Piece) or First Aid Kit With Hard Case (326 pcs)
38. Rescue Stickers
It’s a good idea to label your children’s bedroom windows with firefighter alert stickers, which let firefighters know where children might need rescue. You can also purchase one each for your cars, since car fires can also happen.
39. Pet Safety Alert Stickers
Speaking of firefighter alert stickers, you’ll need some for your pets, too. These are best positioned near your front door or other visible spot, so rescue professionals know how many and what types of pets live in your home.
Also Try: PET SAFETY ALERT 234001 2-Count Static Cling Window Decal for Pets or 2-Pack Pet Rescue Alert To Fire Department | Window Stickers Decals Dogs Cats
40. Seatbelt Cutter & Window Breaker
Not a fun thought, but in the event of a car accident or fire, a seatbelt cutter and window breaker combo saves lives. This incredible tool is small enough to fit in your glove compartment and easy enough to use, but it’ll cut you and your kids out of stuck seatbelts AND have your windows open before rescue workers have even been called.
Also Try: Seatbelt Cutter Window Breaker Escape Toolor Car Emergency Escape Window Break Hammer
41. Escape Hammer
If you want or need a larger, more powerful car-escape tool, go for an escape hammer. Like window breakers, they also have a sharp blade to cut through seatbelts, but they’re larger in case you need extra help in the window-shattering department.
Also Try: LifeHammer Safety Hammer Evolution or BladesUSA CS-044 Emergency Rescue Hammer
42. Emergency Gas & Water Shutoff Tool
There are few things more frightening that the thought of a natural disaster – except the thought of a second natural disaster (fire) on top of the first. Prepare yourself with an emergency gas shutoff tool, so you can easily reduce your risk of explosion and fire during an earthquake, hurricane, or similar situation.
Also Try: Gas Shut-Off Wrench or Prime-Line Products Emergency Gas Shut-Off Wrench Mill
43. Grab N Go Backpack
Purchase or prepare an emergency “to go” backpack, filled with a few days’ worth of supplies. In case of a home fire, you and your kids will be relieved to have the comfort of familiar pajamas and toothbrushes, and in the case of fire-from-natural disaster, extra necessities like flashlights and masks.
Also Try: Deluxe 2-Person Perfect Survival Kit for Emergenciesor Mayday Emergency Survival Backpack Kit
44. Rapid Evacuation Device
Invented by firefighters, a rapid evacuation device helps you get small children and pets out of a burning home faster and safer. Essentially, this is just a bag with tether – but it’s a life-saving device when you consider that half of all children killed in fires are under age 5. The device allows you to bypass long flights of steps and lower you children out the window, into the rescuing arms of firefighters or family members below.
45. Fire-Resistant Filing Cabinet
If you keep a home office, a fireproof filing cabinet can be your best friend. Keep your most important documents – tax returns, bills, pay stubs, etc. – locked away in this flame-resistant file chest, and even if the worst happens, your most important documents will stay safe and sound.
Also Try: Honeywell Model 1104 Molded Fire/Water Chestor First Alert 2037F Fire and Water File Chest
46. Fire-Retardant Mattress Cover
You probably already use mattress covers on yours and your children’s beds, so next time you’re ready to upgrade, purchase the fire-retardant variety. Not only will it keep you protected from dust mites, bedbugs, mold, and other natural beasties, but it won’t catch flame in the event of a nighttime fire, granting you extra moments to get out of bed and the house, safely.
47. Escape Hatchet
Not a pretty mental picture, we know, but if you’re ever trapped in a burning building with no immediate escape route, an emergency hatchet is the perfect tool to carve your own path through wood, hot metal, and other materials. Note: Be sure to always – always! – store a hatchet with its blade covered and in a place far from the reach of young children.
Also Try: Gerber 31-002070 Bear Grylls Survival Hatchet with Nylon Sheathor Estone New Multi-function Outdoor Camping Emergency Survival Tools Hatchet Axe Hammer
48. Flashlights
Not exactly a fire-prevention tool, but flashlights are absolutely necessary in the event of an emergency. If your power goes out or you need to signal to family members through smoke, an emergency flashlight can, quite literally, be a lifesaver. We prefer rechargeable or self-charging (crank) flashlights, so you never have to worry about dead batteries. Bonus: Our top pick also comes with a built-in radio, emergency beacon and cell-phone charger. Talk about being prepared.
Also Try: Chromo Inc® Immedia-Light Hand Crank Flashlight 4 Pack for Immediate Emergencyor Energizer Weatheready 3-LED Carabineer Rechargeable Crank Light, Red
49. Emergency Escape Mask
Smoke inhalation can be just as fatal as actual flame. Equip every member of your family with an emergency escape mask, so in the event of overwhelming smoke, they have precious minutes of fresh, clean air to breathe while they make their way outside to safety.
Also Try: Safe Escape Smoke Fire Hood ASE60 Soft Case or iEvac Smoke/Fire Hood EBP 900 American Certified
50. Electronic Radon Detector
While radon gas doesn’t cause fire, we would be remiss to exclude a radon detector from this list. While many homes have smoke and even carbon monoxide detectors, far few have radon detectors – even though radon can be as deadly as fire or carbon monoxide. So while you’re busy installing your other detectors, grab one of these, too.
Also Try: First Alert RD1 Radon Gas Test Kit or Corentium Digital Electronic Radon Gas Monitor
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