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Juvenile Firesetters

Why Children Set Fires

What Parents Can Do

Juvenile Firesetters

In Rochester, New York, a 2 year old, playing with matches, started a fire that took his life and the lives of 5 family members.

In Roanoke, Virginia a 7 year old boy set fire to a chair in an abandoned building, the fire spread to an adjacent house and trapped an elderly woman.

In 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.

The number of fires set by children is growing. It is a problem that needs the attention of parents, teachers, counselors and community leaders, in cooperation with fire and

law enforcement officers.

Local counseling is available. The Dowagiac Fire Department offers assistance to parents and guardians who feel their child may be developing a dangerous interest in fire. If you know of a child who may be at risk, contact Lieutenant Mike Mattix, or download an enrollment application for this program and send it to the Dowagiac Fire Department.

Why Children Set Fires

Most experts agree that the best way to understand fire setting behavior is the look at where and why children set fires. They believe that there are 2 basic types of children who start fires.

Curiosity Firesetters usually are 2-7 years 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 destructive potential.

Although curiosity is a normal part of children's growth and development, parents and other adult 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 moving to a new area, a divorce or death could trigger firesetting behavior. Or a more serious disturbance could be the cause. Chronic behaviors such as a poor relationship with other children, cruelty to animals, and extreme mood changes are a

few of the traits that data on juvenile firesetters has revealed.

What Parents Can Do

Teach your child about fire

Fire is a tool we use to heat or homes or cook our food

It is not a toy

Fire is dangerous...it can kill

Even adults must follow special safety rules for fire

Control Your Child's Access to Fire

Keep all matches and lighters out of 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 bring to your attention any unattended matches or lighters they find

Local counseling is available. The Dowagiac Fire Department offers assistance to parents and guardians who feel their child may be developing a dangerous interest in fire. If you know of a child who may be at risk, contact Lieutenant Mike Mattix, or download an enrollment application for this program and send it to the Dowagiac Fire Department.