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Fireman Sam

(Rated TV-G, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring John Alderton, John Sparkes, Sarah Hadland, Where to watch: Sprout, DVD)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 3; suggested age 3.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Charming Welsh show teaches preschoolers safety.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 3 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Sam shows how to stay calm in a crisis. He also relies on his team to help him solve problems.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Some of the fires and other crises that Sam faces may frighten the youngest viewers, but everyone is always safe in the end.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Welsh accents and expressions.
  • Consumerism:

    Tie-in products are inevitable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Fireman Sam

Parents need to know that this appealing series teaches fire safety to preschoolers. Sam is a colorful Welsh firefighter who's also a responsive member of his community and a loving uncle to his niece and nephew. Young viewers will be delighted by the stop-motion animation (which creates soft visuals), the colorful backdrops of the charming Welsh village, and the funny dialogue. Storylines focus on situations that require the firefighters' help, such as someone's pet dog getting stuck in a fence or a child accidentally knocking over a lit jack-o'-lantern and starting a fire. Sensitive viewers may need a parent nearby to help them understand that all of the characters are safe in the end.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about specific fire safety rules: the danger of playing with matches, why you shouldn't reach for hot objects in the kitchen, staying safe around fireplaces and camp fires, and so on. This discussion can branch out, too, covering everything from water safety to learning how to dial 911. Parents can also talk about the safety mistakes made by the children in the show and what their own kids should do if they see the same things happening in real life. The series' charming Welsh community, accents, and expressions may also prompt discussion about other countries and parts of the world.

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Our Members Say

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See all 8 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Perfect for your little fire fighter. 2+

    My 2 sons LOVE Fireman Sam. We never miss it.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Teaches kids to respect fire and be careful!

    I disagree with another reviewer about this being inappropriate for a two year old. Each story is about the dangers of fire and the importance of being careful in many situations. Nowhere did I find an episode where the characters didn't learn a lesson, or that was presented in a manner that encouraged kids to seek out fire, rather than respect it's power. All the episodes deal with safety and I know my child knows more about firemen and safety now because of it.

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title off for age 8 and give it 1.0

    Not for 3 year olds

    This show is probably one of the worst cartoons that I have ever seen. Why on earth would you let a 3 year old watch a show where another child is constantly starting fires and or trouble. It's obvious that Norman does not learn his lesson since he does something bad in every episode. When I was 3 I'm quite sure I did not know this much about fires. Yes a fireman (a real person) came to our school to show us what to do in the event of a fire but never have a child in a cartoon starting them. This is probably worse then Max & Ruby on Nickoldeon that I no longer allow my son to watch. Children at age 3 should be learning their ABC's not how to start fires.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Great for 3 year olds obssesed with fire fighting!

    This is a very sweet cartoon on PBS with messages that aren't too heavy handed. The action is dramatic for my 3 year old but not scary. He loves the focus on the fire engine and the rescue helicopter.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

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