| Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners are most likely to start these fires, typically by playing with matches and lighters, and are most likely to die in these fires.
Children and fire are a deadly combination. Some children play with fire out of curiosity, not realizing the danger. Troubled children may set a fire as a way of acting out their anger, disappointment or frustration.
Here are several suggestions by the National Fire Protection Association:
- Children experience fire interest. They may ask questions such as how hot fire is or show an interest in fir through playing with fire trucks or cooking on a play stove. This is healthy, and it is time to begin educating about fire.
- Fire starting happens when children begin to experiment with fire using matches and lighters. Many fires happen when young children are left alone, even for a short period of time, and have access to matches and lighters. Parents must have clear rules and consequences about fire misuse.
- Grown-ups can help keep fire out of the hands of children.
- Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet or container.
- Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.
- Teach young children and school-age children to tell a grown-up if they see matches or lighters.
- Children need to understand that fire is difficult to control, it is fast and can hurt as soon as it touches you.
- A child with an interest in fire can lead to fire starting and result in repeated fire setting behavior.
- It is important for grown-ups to discourage unsupervised fire starts.
- Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.
- Never assign a young child any tasks that involve the use of a lighter or matches (lighting candles, bringing a lighter to an adult to light a cigarette or the fireplace, etc)
- If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.
- Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember, child resistant does not mean child-proof.
Reprinted from NFPA Safety Notice - http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Public%20Education/YoungFiresettersTipSheet.pdf |
