Resources for the Tai Po Fire Tragedy: Fire Safety & Ways to Help
- Y. Y. Chan
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
As many of you know, a deadly fire broke out in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on 26 November 2025, which claimed the lives of 160 people, including a brave firefighter. Victims and their families affected by the tragedy are struggling to restore and rebuild their lives after this horrific ordeal. The government and several NGOs have set up funds and are providing services and resources to help these families get back on their feet. Watching the news coverage of this tragedy over the last couple of weeks has made my heart heavy with mixed feelings of grief, anger, frustration, helplessness and worry. My heart aches for this community. Losing a loved one is already devastating, but losing them in such a horrific way in a fire of this magnitude adds even more trauma and heartbreak than anyone can possibly bear. This event will haunt many people's dreams for years to come and may lead to emotional distress and a lifetime of grief. I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through.
I thought about what actions I could take to offer a little help and support for the victims as well as the wider community in coping and dealing with this difficult situation and emotionally heavy topic. Last week, I started working on gathering news articles and resources that young people may be able to read to better understand what has happened and also encourage them to take action as a community to help our fellow Hong Kong citizens on this journey to recovery and restoration.
In this Dropbox folder, I will be uploading and updating the resources regularly over the next few weeks so that parents and teachers may be able to use them to help kids process what has happened, as well as be informed about fire safety and what to do in emergency situations like this.
What you will find in the folder (the list will be updated as more resources are added):
Reading Comprehension Worksheets using newspaper articles
Vocabulary Worksheets
Project Activity Pack
* More to come
Relevant Links
Below are some relevant links to articles about ways to help and where to donate to help the victims of the Tai Po fire.
How You Can Help The Victims Of The Devastating Fires In Tai Po - Little Steps Asia
How to help victims of the Tai Po fire: a resource guide - Tatler Asia
Fundraising And Charity Events In Hong Kong Supporting Tai Po Fire Victims And Families
4 ways to help with Tai Po fire relief efforts in Hong Kong | South China Morning Post
Book List
I've also searched and gathered a list of books related to fire safety and coping with grief that may be helpful – from children's books to adult manuals and journals.
Firefighters A to Z by Chris L. Demarest
Ages 3-5; 32 pages
Every day, brave firefighters come to our rescue. When the fire alarm sounds, men and women put on their uniforms, slide down the firehouse pole, jump in their big red trucks, and rush to save our lives. From the minute the fire alarm rings, the day of a firefighter is filled with adventure and danger. Wherever there is a fire, we can be sure that firefighters will always be there!
No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons) by Jean E. Pendziwol (Author), Martine Gourbault (Illustrator)
Ages 3-6; 32 pages
While out for a walk with her mom, a little girl has the surprise of her life – she meets a real, live, fire-breathing dragon and invites him home for tea. Their afternoon snack is suddenly interrupted when the dragon sneezes and sets the table ablaze. Luckily, the girl knows just what to do, and she teaches her new friend to be fire smart, too. Learning about fire safety doesn’t have to be scary.
Plan and Prepare! (Fire Safety) by Charles Ghigna (Author), Glenn Thomas (Illustrator)
Ages 3-8; 24 pages
Do you know the four rules of fire safety? Have a plan. Get out fast. Stay low. And don't open hot doors. This sing-along picture book will help kids practise these four life-saving rules and will feel like heroes as they sing along to this catchy song.
The Garden of Memories. A Child's Tale of Loss and Love: A Comforting Book for Kids About Death, Grief, and Healing Love by Playful and Active Mind Books
Ages 4+; 40 pages
A comforting story that helps children heal — and gives parents the words they can’t always find. The Garden of Memories is more than just a picture book. It’s a gentle tool to help children and their families navigate grief, start healing, and keep love alive in the most tender way.
Ready For Anything: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Home Preparedness and Crisis Survival for Your Family's Safety Master Self-Sufficiency, Build Resilience, and Thrive in Uncertain Times by Jared Hoover
122 pages
Overcome Uncertainty & Protect Your Family With Confidence.
When disaster strikes, will your home and family be ready? This all-in-one guide gives you the clear, step-by-step plan you need to prepare for anything—from power outages to natural disasters to long-term crises.
The Disaster-Ready Home: A Step-by-Step Emergency Preparedness Manual for Sheltering in Place by Creek Stewart
224 pages
A complete, step-by-step manual for safely sheltering in place at home so you are prepared for any disaster or disease. The Disaster-Ready Home will help you create a safe, well-stocked place to weather out any emergency. Survival expert and bestselling author Creek Stewart gives you a step-by-step emergency preparedness plan to meet your food, water, heat, and sanitation needs during any disaster. Including detailed lists, photographs, and complete instructions to make the plan easy to follow, this book is the only resource you need for a disaster.
I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One (A Compassionate Grief Recovery Book) by Brook Noel (Author), Pamela D Blair PhD (Author)
292 pages
You never expected to say goodbye. The most helpful grief book to read when you're ready to start healing after the loss of a loved one. Whether you've lost a parent, partner, child, sibling, friend―or anyone you loved―I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye offers the compassion and clarity you need when grief is sudden, raw, and overwhelming. This trusted guide has helped over a million readers cope with the shock of unexpected loss.
Forget You Not: A Guided Grief Journal & Keepsake for Navigating Life Through Loss by Brittany DeSantis (Author)
144 pages
A thoughtful and beautiful journal for processing grief and remembering your loved one—including guided writing prompts, creative mindfulness exercises, and space for preserving photos. Through a beautifully painted and guided keepsake journal, readers will be encouraged to use their words to reflect on and honor those who have passed through various activities.
52-Week Devotional Journal for Grief: Prompts and Prayers for Navigating Loss by Debbra Sell Bronstad LMFT
136 pages
Find comfort in God as you work through grief
With help from God's wisdom, you can make peace with your grief and adjust to your new normal with grace. This devotional journal provides Scripture-based prompts and practices that inspire you to share your burdens with the Lord, strengthen your faith, and begin to heal from loss.
Connect with the Lord and begin healing with this yearlong devotional for grief and loss.
Creative Ways to Grieve: A Guided Grief Journal by Y.Y. Chan
Have you ever thought about embracing your grief and using your emotions to create something meaningful while still honoring your loved ones? This guided grief journal can help you find outlets to release and express your feelings and emotions in creative ways. Through this process, you can explore your creativity and may also uncover hidden talents you never knew you had. Express your feelings and emotions in a healthy manner through the use of this guided journal and share your unique experience and perspective with the world. Your grief can become a gift and your superpower.
I hope you find the information in this post and the fire safety resources provided useful as you navigate through this difficult and challenging time. This tragedy will remain in our memories and our hearts for a long time and I hope we continue to remember the victims, pray for them and provide support in any means we can.
If you have any other recommended resources or books, please feel free to leave a comment or email me to be added to the post. Feel free to share this post
(Last updated 14 December 11:43 a.m.)
*This post contains affiliate links.