WHAT CAN YOU DO?

 In Rochester, New York, a two year old, playing with matches, started a fire that took his life and the lives of five family members.

In Roanoke, Virginia, a seven year old boy set fire to a chair in an abandoned building, the fire spread to an adjacent house and trapped an elderly woman.

I Passaic, New Jersey, a firefighter was killed and hundreds of people lost their homes in a fire started by a group of teenage boys.

These tragic events are not isolated incidents. In a typical year, in the U.S., 300 people are killed and $300 million in property is destroyed in fires set by children. Children themselves are usually the victims of these fires accounting for 85 of every 100 lives lost.

Why Children Set Fires?

Most experts agree that the best way to understand firesetting behavior is to look at where and why children set fires. they believe that there are two basic types of children who start fires.

Curiosity Firesetters usually are 2-7 year olds whose fascination with fire leads them to "play" with it to find out how it feels, how it burns, and what it does. They do not understand fire's destructibe potential.

Although curiosity is a normal part of children's growth and development, parents and other adults who discover that a child is playing with fire should take it very seriously.

Problem Firesetters can also be very young, but generally are 5-17 years old. In contrast to the curious firesetter, however, these youngsters light fires because of emotional or mental disturbances ranging from mild to severe. A crisis in the child's life, such as mobing to a new area, a divorce or death could trigger firesetting behavior. Or,  more serious disturbance could be the cause. Chronic behaviors such as a poor relationship with other children, cruelty to animals, and exreme mood changes ae a few of the traits that data on juvenile firesetters has revealed.

Parents...

Teach Your Child About Fire

• Fire is a tool we use to heat our homes or cook our food.
• It is not a toy.
• Fire is dangerous -- it can kill.
• All fires -- even small ones -- can spread quickly.
• Even adults must follow special safety rules for fire.

Control Your Child's Access to Fire

• Keep all matches and lighters out of the reach of children -- even a 2 year old can operate a cigarette lighter.
• Never allow anyone to use lighters or matches in an unsafe manner in your home.
• Never leave stove or candle fires unattended.
• Teach children to show you any unattended matches or lighters they find to your attention.

Set a Good Example

• Install and maintain smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
• Plan and practice home fire escape drills.
• Regularly inspect your home for fire hazards.
• Always use "safety sense" when making or using fire.
• Point out to your children the safety rules you and others are following throughout the day.

Teachers, Counselors, & Community Leaders...

Take responsibility for Fire Safety

• Teach fire safety in pre-school through high-school programs.
• Participate in training to learn about juvenile firesetters.
• Help to raise awareness in your community about juvenile firesetters.
• Know the resoursces in your community to help jubenile firesetters -- or help develop a juvenile firesetters program.

Where To Go For Help!

Contact the Pierce Township Fire Department at 513-752-6273
We have staff that are trained to speak with your juvenile about firesetting if needed.