Curious Kids Set Fires

Every day Americans experience the tragedy of fire. Each year more than 5,000 Americans die in fires and more than 25,000 are injured. Figures show that each year about 450 people are killed and $300 million in property is destroyed in fires attributed to children playing with fire.

FACTS:

All ages, 3 to 17 years old, set over 100,000 fires annually. 25,000 of those fires are set in homes. Children make up between 20-25% of all fire deaths. Over 30% of the fires that kill children are set by children playing with fire. Children usually play with fire in the bedrooms, in closets or under beds. Child fire setters, if not given the proper guidance and supervision, will repeat their fire setting behavior. To keep your children safe follow the below listed safety tips:

1. Practice Fire Safety in the Home
2. Supervise young children closely.
3. Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet.
4. Have your children tell you when they find matches and lighters.
5. Check under beds for burned matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire.
6. Teach children that fire is a tool and not a toy.
7. Develop a home fire escape plan, practice once a month with your children.
8. Designate a meeting place outside.
9. Teach children not to hide from firefighters, but get out quickly and call for help from another location.
10. Teach children the nature of fire. It is HOT, FAST, DARK, AND DEADLY.
11. Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay out.
12. Demonstrate STOP, DROP, and ROLL if their clothes caught on fire.
13. Install smoke alarms on every level in your home. Test them each month and replace the batteries once a year.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR CHILD WHO IS PLAYING WITH FIRE:

We can provide juvenile fire-setting interventions and provide you with available resources. We can also provide one-on-one counseling with your child (tailored to their age).

• Increase their awareness about basic fire safety.        
• Discuss consequences of fire setting with your child.

For assistance contact:

District Chief Jason Hansen
Ph: 319-377-8237   
Email