Perfect for 1st–30th – National Burns Awareness Month & First Responders Appreciation Day 10 June 2026
By BEST Childcare Consulting
Every day in early childhood settings, educators quietly do something extraordinary—they protect, respond, anticipate risk and create environments where children can safely explore the world around them. Whether preventing a spill from a hot coffee, checking playground surfaces on a warm afternoon, teaching children how to seek help, or comforting a child after a minor injury, safety is woven into countless moments that often go unseen.
June offers an important reminder of this responsibility through National Burns Awareness MonthandNational First Responders Day (10 June). Together, these awareness campaigns encourage us to reflect not only on preventing injuries such as burns and scalds, but also on the people and systems that respond when emergencies occur. More importantly, they remind us that teaching children about safety, protective behaviours and trusted helpers begins long before an emergency happens.
For young children, understanding danger is still developing. A hot drink left within reach, overheated playground equipment, hot water, cooking experiences or unfamiliar emergency situations can quickly become serious risks. As educators, our role extends beyond supervision; it includes intentionally embedding safety education, critically reflecting on practice, creating environments that minimise harm and fostering strong partnerships with families and communities.
This article explores practical ways to incorporate burns prevention, emergency preparedness and community helper education into everyday programs, while strengthening Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs), meeting regulatory obligations and building evidence toward Exceeding themes across the National Quality Standard. Because protecting children is not a one-off lesson or awareness month—it is part of the culture we create every single day.
National Burns Awareness Month: Why It Matters
National Burns Awareness Month, led by Kidsafe Australia, aims to reduce preventable burns and scald injuries while promoting correct first aid responses. Winter increases exposure to heaters, hot drinks, cooking appliances and fire-related hazards.
Children aged 0–4 years remain among the highest risk groups due to thinner skin, developing judgement and exploratory behaviours.
The key burns first aid message is:
Remove → Cool → Cover → Seek
- Remove: Remove clothing or jewellery near the burn (unless stuck).
- Cool: Place under cool running water for 20 minutes.
- Cover: Cover loosely with a clean dressing or cloth.
- Seek: Seek medical assistance for serious burns.
Never apply ice, toothpaste, butter or creams.
What Educators Need to Know: Regulations, Compliance and Everyday Practice
Preventing burns and scalds in early childhood settings is not simply good practice—it forms part of educators’ obligations under the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, particularly the requirement to take every reasonable precaution to protect children from harm and hazards likely to cause injury (Section 167 of the National Law).
This means:
- Hot drinks, including coffee, tea or soup, should never be consumed or carried in areas accessible to children, even in closed travel mugs. Curious children and accidental spills remain significant risks. Staff should consume hot beverages only in designated staff areas.
- Families entering services with takeaway hot drinks should be considered within service risk assessments and policies.
- Accessible hot water must be temperature regulated, with child-accessible taps generally maintained at safe temperatures according to jurisdictional requirements and service policies to reduce scald risk.
- Hot water systems, thermostatic valves and tempering devices should be routinely checked and documented.
- Educators should monitor hidden burn risks including:
- Bottle warmers
- Kettles
- Cooking experiences
- Heaters
- Sterilising equipment
- Hot food temperatures
Importantly, outdoor environments can also create serious burn hazards. Artificial turf, soft fall rubber, metal climbing equipment, slides and concrete surfaces may reach temperatures capable of causing burns within seconds during warmer weather.
Educators should:
Physically test playground surfaces before use
Review UV and heat forecasts
Rotate outdoor play to cooler times
Increase shaded experiences
Encourage footwear where appropriate
Include environmental heat hazards within daily risk assessments
These practices support compliance with:
- National Law Section 167: Protection from harm and hazards
- Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety
- Quality Area 3: Physical Environment
National First Responders Day – 10 June
Who is a first responder?
First responders are trained professionals who are often the first people to arrive during emergencies, providing immediate care, rescue assistance or protection.
Examples include:
- Paramedics and ambulance officers
- Firefighters
- Police officers
- SES volunteers
- Lifeguards
- Emergency nurses
- Disaster response personnel
For children, first responders can be understood as:
“Helpers who keep people safe when something goes wrong.”
Teaching children about first responders builds confidence, reduces fear and promotes community understanding.
Educational Programming Ideas
1. Emergency Response Dramatic Play Area
Create an emergency station including:
- Telephones
- First aid kits
- Bandages
- High-vis clothing
- Stretchers
- Emergency vehicles
- Toy clipboards and maps
Role play scenarios:
- Burns and scalds
- Falls and injuries
- Calling 000
- Fire emergencies
- Helping a friend
Learning outcomes:
- Protective behaviours
- Communication skills
- Emotional regulation
- Problem solving
- Understanding community helpers
Resource ideas:
Kidsafe educational resources for children and educators
Triple Zero Kids’ Challenge (learning about emergencies and calling 000)
2. “Hot or Not?” Safety Sorting Investigation
Create picture cards showing:
✔ Hot coffee cups
✔ Kettles
✔ Hair straighteners
✔ Playground slides in sun
✔ Campfires
✖ Water bottles
✖ Hats
✖ Books
✖ Cushions
Discuss:
- What could hurt us?
- How do we stay safe?
- Who helps in emergencies?
Printable safety resources:
Kidsafe Burns Awareness resources and activity materials
3. Playground Temperature Investigation (STEM Experience)
Children compare temperatures of:
- Artificial turf
- Sand
- Grass
- Concrete
- Metal equipment
- Shaded surfaces
Questions:
“Which surfaces are hottest?”
“Why does shade matter?”
Extend with:
- Thermometers
- UV charts
- Shade mapping
Supports:
- Science inquiry
- Environmental awareness
- Risk assessment
Resource links:
SunSmart Early Childhood programs and outdoor learning resources
Cancer Council SunSmart resources for services
4. Invite Community First Responders
Invite:
- Firefighters
- Ambulance officers
- Police officers
- SES volunteers
Questions children can ask:
- What happens when someone calls 000?
- How do you help people?
- What equipment do you use?
Supports:
- Quality Area 6
- Community engagement
- Belonging and identity
Useful organisations:
St John Ambulance community education programs
Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA community safety education
5. Family Burns Prevention & Emergency Preparedness Evening
Invite families to explore:
- Burns first aid
- Safe hot drink practices
- Home hazard checks
- Emergency contacts
- Playground safety
- Heat risks
Provide take-home checklists.
Family resources:
Kidsafe home safety resources for families
Australian Red Cross emergency preparedness information
6. Firefighter Art & Craft Experience (Under 5s)
Children create:
- Firefighter helmets
- Emergency vehicles
- Community helper puppets
Discuss:
“Who helps when someone gets hurt?”
Free activity ideas:
Twinkl Australia community helpers crafts (free resources available)
7. Cool Water Science Exploration: Why Do Burns Need Cool Running Water?
Set up:
- Warm water vs cool water experiments
- Ice melting investigations
- Discussions about body temperature and safety
Introduce:
Remove → Cool → Cover → Seek
Learning resources:
Kidsafe Burns Awareness Month resources and first aid information
QIP Write up
Quality Area 1 – Educational Program and Practice
Exceeding Theme 1: Practice is embedded in service operations
Burns prevention, environmental safety and emergency preparedness were intentionally embedded into everyday programming rather than delivered as isolated awareness experiences. Educators consistently incorporated discussions about hot objects, safe responses to injury, first responders and environmental hazards into routines, transitions, outdoor play and intentional teaching experiences. Children regularly engaged with risk assessment concepts through play-based learning, demonstrating increasing confidence in recognising unsafe situations and identifying strategies to seek help.
Exceeding Theme 2: Practice is informed by critical reflection
Educators critically reflected on children’s understanding of safety concepts and evaluated whether learning experiences were developmentally appropriate, meaningful and transferable to real-life contexts. Reflection identified opportunities to extend children’s understanding of less obvious hazards, including hot playground surfaces, hot beverages and environmental heat exposure. Programming was adapted in response to observations, emerging interests and identified gaps in children’s safety knowledge.
Exceeding Theme 3: Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community
Families contributed perspectives regarding home safety practices, emergency experiences and strategies used to manage environmental risks. Community engagement with emergency responders and safety organisations strengthened children’s understanding of protective behaviours while supporting continuity between home, service and community expectations regarding safety.
Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety
Exceeding Theme 1: Practice is embedded in service operations
Burn prevention strategies became embedded within daily educator practices, supervision expectations and environmental checks. Staff consistently implemented procedures regarding hot drink consumption, kitchen safety, hot water access, food temperatures and playground heat assessments. Outdoor risk checks before play and active monitoring of weather conditions supported ongoing protection from preventable burns and heat-related injury.
Exceeding Theme 2: Practice is informed by critical reflection
Educators regularly reflected on incidents, near misses and environmental conditions to identify opportunities for improving health and safety procedures. Reflection prompted review of supervision practices, accessibility of hazardous items and effectiveness of existing risk assessments. Seasonal weather patterns and increasing heat exposure informed ongoing adjustments to outdoor routines and environmental management strategies.
Exceeding Theme 3: Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community
Families were provided with information regarding burns first aid, safe hot drink practices, home hazard reduction and outdoor heat safety. Shared conversations strengthened consistency between home and service safety approaches. Community resources and recommendations from child safety organisations informed service procedures and educator knowledge.
Quality Area 3 – Physical Environment
Exceeding Theme 1: Practice is embedded in service operations
Environmental safety practices were consistently embedded within daily operations through routine hazard checks, playground temperature monitoring and ongoing review of indoor and outdoor environments. Educators proactively assessed surfaces such as artificial turf, rubber soft fall, concrete and metal equipment before children accessed play spaces. Consideration of shade, hydration opportunities and outdoor scheduling formed part of everyday planning.
Exceeding Theme 2: Practice is informed by critical reflection
Critical reflection supported ongoing evaluation of how effectively environments promoted both safety and meaningful exploration. Educators considered the impact of seasonal changes, extreme temperatures and environmental design on children’s wellbeing. Reflection informed adjustments to routines, resource placement and supervision practices to reduce preventable risks.
Exceeding Theme 3: Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community
Family feedback regarding outdoor safety, weather considerations and community experiences informed service decision-making around environmental management. External guidance from safety authorities strengthened service understanding of emerging risks and supported continuous improvement processes.
Quality Area 5 – Relationships with Children
Exceeding Theme 1: Practice is embedded in service operations
Educators intentionally embedded conversations around protective behaviours, safe decision-making and help-seeking into everyday interactions with children. Opportunities to identify trusted adults, emergency helpers and unsafe situations occurred naturally throughout routines and play experiences, supporting children to build confidence and agency.
Exceeding Theme 2: Practice is informed by critical reflection
Reflection focused on how children interpreted risk, responded to safety discussions and demonstrated understanding of emergency situations. Educators adjusted approaches to ensure learning remained empowering rather than fear-based and considered individual developmental needs when introducing safety concepts.
Exceeding Theme 3: Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community
Family perspectives regarding safety expectations and community experiences informed conversations with children about emergencies and protective behaviours. Relationships with community first responders supported children to develop familiarity and trust with those who assist during emergencies.
Quality Area 6 – Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities
Exceeding Theme 1: Practice is embedded in service operations
Partnerships with families and community organisations were embedded within service approaches to promoting safety and wellbeing. Information sharing, collaborative discussions and safety awareness initiatives occurred routinely rather than only following incidents or awareness campaigns.
Exceeding Theme 2: Practice is informed by critical reflection
Educators reflected on the effectiveness of family engagement strategies and considered whether information shared supported genuine understanding and participation. Feedback informed improvements to communication methods and strengthened opportunities for collaboration around children’s health and safety.
Exceeding Theme 3: Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community
Families actively contributed to discussions regarding burns prevention, home safety and emergency preparedness. Engagement with first responders and safety organisations provided authentic learning opportunities for children and strengthened community connections, reinforcing shared responsibility for protecting children’s wellbeing.
Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership
Exceeding Theme 1: Practice is embedded in service operations
Leadership consistently promoted a culture where children’s safety was prioritised through everyday decision-making, policy implementation and educator accountability. Expectations regarding hot drinks in learning environments, supervision practices, playground heat assessments, environmental risk management and burns prevention procedures were clearly communicated and embedded into routine operations. Educators demonstrated shared responsibility for identifying hazards and implementing preventative strategies, ensuring compliance was viewed as an ongoing practice rather than a checklist requirement.
Exceeding Theme 2: Practice is informed by critical reflection
Leaders and educators engaged in regular critical reflection regarding health and safety procedures, incident trends and emerging risks. Reflection informed continuous review of policies relating to burns prevention, outdoor environments, staff practices and emergency preparedness. Consideration was given to whether existing procedures effectively protected children, supported educator understanding and responded to changing environmental conditions such as increasing temperatures and heat exposure.
Exceeding Theme 3: Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community
Continuous improvement processes were strengthened through consultation with families, educators and external agencies regarding safety expectations and best practice recommendations. Guidance from child safety organisations, regulatory bodies and community emergency services informed policy updates, professional learning and service procedures. Family feedback contributed to shared understanding around burns prevention, environmental safety and protective behaviours, supporting collaborative approaches to safeguarding children’s wellbeing.
Useful Links & Resources
Burns Prevention & First Aid Resources
National Burns Awareness Month (official campaign page)
Campaign information, downloadable posters, educator resources, worksheets and safety checklists.
Kidsafe National Burns Awareness Month
National Burns Awareness Month occurs annually in June to increase awareness of burns prevention and correct first aid treatment.
Burns Awareness Community Toolkit
Includes posters, family resources, checklists and activities suitable for early childhood services.
Kidsafe Burns Community Awareness Kit
Contains learning activities, Burns Safety Checklists and educator materials for children aged 3–13 years.
Home Burns Safety Checklist
Useful as a family engagement activity or take-home resource.
Kidsafe Home Burns Safety Checklist
Burns First Aid Information
Correct treatment steps: Remove → Cool → Cover → Seek.
Kidsafe Victoria Burns and Scalds Prevention Resources
Correct first aid includes cooling burns under running water for 20 minutes and avoiding home remedies such as butter or toothpaste.
Educator Compliance, Regulations & Safety Practice
National Quality Framework (NQF) Guide
Supports compliance with Quality Areas 2, 3 and 7.
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/supporting-materials/guide-national-quality-framework
National Quality Standard (NQS)
Useful when writing QIPs and linking burns prevention to Exceeding themes.
ACECQA National Quality Standard
Education and Care Services National Law & Regulations
Relevant to Section 167 – Protection from harm and hazards.
ACECQA National Law and Regulations Information
Outdoor Heat & Playground Safety
SunSmart Early Childhood Resources
https://www.sunsmart.com.au/early-childhood-schools
Programming ideas, UV guidance and outdoor safety practices.
Cancer Council Sun Safety Resources
Outdoor learning guidance, UV information and protective strategies.
Cancer Council Sun Safety Information
Community Helpers & First Responders
Triple Zero Kids Challenge
Interactive activities teaching children when and how to call 000.
Triple Zero Kids Challenge
Community Safety Education – Emergency Services WA
Information and educational opportunities around emergency services.
https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/education-and-media/community-education
St John Ambulance WA Community Education
Programs supporting first aid understanding and emergency awareness.
St John WA Community Programs
Family Engagement & Emergency Preparedness
Australian Red Cross Emergency Preparation Resources
Family emergency plans and preparedness tools.
Australian Red Cross Emergency Preparedness
Kidsafe Parent & Family Safety Resources
Practical injury prevention information across home, outdoor and transport settings.
Kidsafe Family Safety Resources
https://kidsafe.com.au/resources
Free Art & Craft / Programming Resources
Community Helper Crafts and Activities
Suitable for under-5s and dramatic play extensions.
Twinkl Australia Community Helper Activities
BEST Childcare Consulting
Teaching children about burns prevention, environmental safety and emergency helpers is more than a one-off awareness activity—it builds lifelong protective behaviours, resilience and community understanding. By embedding these conversations into everyday practice, services strengthen safety culture while fostering children’s confidence and wellbeing.
As always, use these inspirations to lead your service throughout the whole year in your everyday practices to truly earn an exceeding rating.
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