Home Fire, Carbon Monoxide, and Emergency Safety

An independent educational resource prepared by Mark M. Simonian, MD, FAAP

Sources checked: August 10, 2026     |     Medical review completed: August 10, 2026

This page is for general education only and does not replace individualized medical advice. This resource does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For questions about your own child, contact your child's current healthcare professional.

Magnolia Pediatrics, Valley Children's Healthcare

2497 E. Herndon Avenue, Suite 101, Clovis, CA 93611     |     559-538-3070

A working alarm and a practiced plan give families precious time to get outside during a fire or carbon monoxide emergency. Make the plan before an emergency: know two ways out, choose a meeting place, decide who helps young children or family members with disabilities, and practice together.

Urgent Safety Actions - Check This First

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are warnings to act, not signals to investigate. Get everyone outside immediately, stay outside, and call 911 from a safe location. Do not re-enter the home for people, pets, belongings, or alarms.

CALL 911 NOW

  • Smoke, fire, a fire alarm with suspected fire, an unexplained smell of gas or burning, or a carbon monoxide alarm that sounds

  • Anyone has trouble breathing, blue or gray color, fainting, confusion, severe sleepiness, a seizure, serious burn, severe bleeding, or another life-threatening emergency

  • Possible carbon monoxide exposure, especially if more than one person has headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion, or flu-like symptoms without fever

GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE NOW

  • A child who was in a fire or smoke-filled building and has cough, hoarseness, wheezing, trouble breathing, headache, vomiting, confusion, unusual sleepiness, or any worsening symptom

  • Any electrical, chemical, deep, large, blistering, circumferential, face, hand, foot, genital, or major-joint burn; or a burn from a fire, explosion, or hot liquid with significant pain

  • Possible carbon monoxide exposure with symptoms, even if the child seems improved after reaching fresh air

CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TODAY

  • A minor burn with blistering, increasing pain, signs of infection, uncertain tetanus status, or concern about wound care

  • A child who was exposed to smoke or a possible carbon monoxide source but has no emergency symptoms; ask what follow-up is appropriate

  • Repeated headaches, nausea, dizziness, or tiredness that occurs at home and improves away from home, even if no alarm has sounded

Smoke Alarms: Install, Test, Replace

  • Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.

  • Choose interconnected alarms when possible, so that when one alarm sounds, they all sound. Use alarms that people in the home can hear; flashing alerts may help people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

  • Test every smoke alarm monthly. Do not remove batteries because of cooking smoke; use the hush feature and improve ventilation instead.

  • Replace smoke alarms according to the manufacturer instructions and no later than 10 years from the manufacture date.

Carbon Monoxide: An Invisible Emergency

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas with no smell, color, or taste. Fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, vehicles, generators, grills, and some camping equipment can produce CO. Symptoms can resemble a viral illness but may occur without fever.

  • Install CO alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. Test them regularly and follow the manufacturer's replacement instructions.

  • Never use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or fuel-burning device inside a home, garage, basement, tent, or other enclosed or partly enclosed space. Generators belong outdoors, at least 20 feet from the home, with exhaust directed away.

  • Never use a gas oven or range to heat the home. Have heating systems, chimneys, and vents inspected and serviced by a qualified professional.

  • If a CO alarm sounds or exposure is possible, get outside into fresh air immediately and call 911. Do not re-enter until emergency responders say it is safe.

Your Family Fire Escape Plan

  • Draw a simple map of the home. Identify two ways out of every room and make sure doors and windows can open.

  • Choose one outside meeting place a safe distance from the home, such as a neighbor's driveway, mailbox, or tree. Everyone goes there after getting out.

  • Assign an adult to help babies, young children, and anyone who needs assistance. Children younger than 5 usually need an adult to get them out safely.

  • Practice at least twice a year. Teach children that the smoke-alarm sound means get outside immediately—never hide and never go back in.

  • In an apartment or high-rise building, use the stairs during a fire; do not use an elevator unless emergency personnel direct you to do so.

If There Is a Fire

  • Get out, stay out, and call 911. Close doors behind you as you leave if you can do so without delay.

  • If there is smoke, stay low on the way to the exit. If a closed door feels hot or smoke is coming through it, use the other exit.

  • Once outside, go to the meeting place. Tell firefighters immediately if anyone may still be inside. Do not re-enter for a pet, phone, medication, or belongings.

  • If clothing catches fire, stop, drop, and roll. Cool a burn with cool running water; do not use ice, butter, toothpaste, or home remedies.

Preventing Fires and Burns

  • Keep children at least 3 feet from stoves, ovens, fireplaces, space heaters, candles, and other hot surfaces. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

  • Keep matches, lighters, vaping devices, and smoking materials locked away and out of sight. Teach children to bring these items to an adult, not to touch or play with them.

  • Never leave cooking, candles, fireplaces, space heaters, or children in a bathtub unattended. Keep space heaters well away from bedding, curtains, furniture, and anything flammable.

  • Keep emergency numbers, the home address, and a family contact plan where caregivers can find them. Teach children how to call 911 when they are ready to do so.

Related Guides

  • Burns and Scalds in Children: First Aid and When to Seek Care

  • Child Safety Checklist: Infants and Young Children

  • First Aid for Common Injuries: When to Seek Care

  • Poisoning and Possible Ingestion: What to Do Now

Sources and Medical Review

  • HealthyChildren.org (AAP), Fire Safety: Protecting Your Family from a Home Fire https://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Fire-Safety.aspx

  • U.S. Fire Administration, Smoke Alarms https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/smoke-alarms/

  • U.S. Fire Administration, Home Fire Escape Plans https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/home-fire-escape-plans/

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-education-centers/carbon-monoxide-information-center/protect-your-family-from-carbon-monoxide-poisoning--