Youth Fire Safety

Educate. Inform. Prepare.

It is imperative to educate kids about the dangers of matches, lighters, and other fire-starting tools. It is important to set clear ground rules and consequences about handling or being around fire.  Most children who set fires do so out of curiosity or accident.  But some children have a preoccupation with fire.

Youth firesetting must be viewed as a community problem.  Although fire departments may take the lead role in developing programs for youth fire setters, their efforts alone will not resolve the problem. Schools, fire service, law enforcement, youth justice and mental health organizations must all establish open communication channels with one another so that an organized effort is mounted to reduce youth involvement in fire setting and arson related incidents.