Kid friendly ways to teach your family about CO Safety

Teaching kids about this danger doesn’t have to be scary — in fact, making it fun and engaging helps ensure they remember the key messages.

Why kids need to know about CO

Kids are often the first to notice something unusual at home, like a strange smell or sound. By including them in safety conversations, you’re not just educating, you’re empowering them to protect themselves and others. You can describe CO as an invisible gas that we can’t see or smell, but it can make us really sick or CO alarms are like superheroes that warn us if CO is around because we can’t see it.

Get your CO alarm today

Fun ways to teach CO safety

• Story time: Use picture books or make up a story about a family of CO alarms that keep the house safe.
• Name the alarm: Let your child name your CO alarm (e.g., “Captain Beeper”) to make it memorable.
• Safety drill game: Practice what to do if the alarm goes off, like a mini fire drill.
• Spot the danger: Turn it into a game. Can your kids find things that burn fuel in your home? (e.g., boiler, gas hob)

Family safety checklist

• Test your CO alarm once a month, let kids help push the button!
• Never play near or touch the boiler or heater.
• If the alarm beeps loudly, tell an adult and go outside.
• Always keep doors open when grown-ups are cooking.
• Talk about symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, feeling sick, sleepy, dizzy
• Keep alarms out of reach of small hands, but where they can hear them

If you want more information on keeping your family safe from carbon monoxide, check out our guide : CO safety guide