Instruction in Fire and Arson Prevention, Injury Prevention, and Life Safety Education

Section 808 of State Education Law was revised, effective September 1, 2005, to require that every school in New York State must provide instruction in injury prevention and life safety education in grades K-12. The change in law is effective for the current school year.  The law originally included only instruction in arson and fire prevention and covered such topics as:

  • Identification of a variety of conditions in the home, school, and community that may lead to fires.
  • Procedures to follow in the event of fire in the home, school and the community.
  • Preventative measures that may reduce the risk of fire and arson.
  • Instruction may be provided as a special subject, or integrated within content areas of the curriculum.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has produced Risk Watch®, a curriculum that is currently being used in over 500 classrooms in New York State.  Risk Watch® is targeted to K-8 students and meets all the requirements of the new legislation.  Other resources are available at: https://www.p12.nysed.gov/facplan/HealthSafety/child_safety.html

    Questions regarding fire and life safety issues may be directed to Fire Safety Unit, Office of Facilities Planning, at 518-474-3906 or firesafety@nysed.gov.