WARREN COUNTYFIRE & RESCUE SERVICES |
Curious Kids Set Fires
A Factsheet for Teaching Children Fire Safety
Every day Americans experience the tragedy of fire. Each year more than 4,000 Americans die in fires and more than 25,000 are injured. Figures show that each year about 300 people are killed and $280 million in property is destroyed in fires attributed to children playing with fire.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages parents to teach children at an early age about the dangers of fireplay in an effort to prevent child injuries, fires and firesetting behavior in the future. Below are some facts about children and fire safety.
Curious Kids Set Fires
Children under five are curious about fire. Often what begins as a natural exploration of the unknown can lead to tragedy.
Practice Fire Safety in Your Home
Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
For More Information Contact:
The United States Fire Administration
Office of Fire Management Programs
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
About one in every four fires is intentionally set -- and almost half of these fires was set by youth under the age of 18.
Arson is a serious crime. It injures and kills people, destroys properties, and destabilizes neighborhoods.
According to the FBI, juvenile firesetters accounted for roughly half (at least 49%) or more of those arrested for arson -- for the ninth straight year.
In 2003, 51% of those arrested were under 18, nearly one-third were under the age of 15, and 3% were under the age of 10.
Studies have shown that the majority of normal children possess an interest in fire and nearly half have engaged in fire-play. For many young people, the attraction to fire leads to juvenile fire-play and firesetting -- fire-starting activity that fire investigators determine to be short of arson. This behavior may be a precursor for the crime of arson.
Click here to get more information on Juvenile Firesetting.