Children and Fire - Identifying and correcting firesetting behavior

Is Child fireplay a problem?

The National Fire Protection Agency reports that fires set by young children in the United States annually result in:

• 95,000 fires
• Over 300 deaths
• 3,000 injuries
• $300 million in property damage

Is juvenile arson a problem?

The FBI Crime Index reports that juvenile and adult arson cause an annual average of 560,000 fires, 750 deaths, 3,700 injuries, and $1.5 billion in property loss.

• 55% of all arson arrests in the United States are children under 18
• Nearly half of these are age 15 and under
• 6.8% are under age 10
• The crime of arson has the highest rate of juvenile involvement

• Teach young children that fire and fire tools are for grown-ups to use
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach in high, ideally locked, cabinets
• Ask young children to tell you when they find matches and lighters, and then make sure you put them away
• Teach older children proper techniques for using fire and fire tools - how to safely strike a match or light a candle with supervision
• Praise your child for practicing responsible behavior and showing respect for fire
• Set a good example - use matches, lighters, and fire carefully ... Keep your home safe from fire

About fire and fire safety

• Fire is dangerous and can be deadly
• Even small fires spread quickly
• Never leave stove or candle fires unattended
• Install and maintain smoke alarms for early warning
• Plan and practice a home fire escape drill
• Inspect your home often for fire hazards

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If you know of a child firesetter in need of assistance...
or
If you want more information about child firesetting and juvenile arson...

Contact Fire District 6
8800 NE Hazel Dell Ave
Vancouver, WA 98665
(360) 576-1195
publicinformation@ccfd6.org

Fire District 6 offers a juvenile firesetter intervention program to children. Trained personnel offer a juvenile firesetter intervention program that includes an interview, education and follow-up with the child to help stop firesetting behavior. For further information, please contact us at (360) 576-1195 or publicinformation@ccfd6.org