Matches & Lighters Fact Sheet
 

According to information furnished by the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Information Council, Of every 100 people who die in child-set fires in the United States, 85 are children.

There are many reasons children set fires. Sometimes fires are set out of simple curiosity or boredom, but many times it is a behavioral problem. Fire safety education, professional mental health therapy, or a combination of both may be needed.

Listed below are some common characteristics found in children who set fires:

• experiences extreme mood swings
• plays alone
• fights with peers, finds it hard to form close relationships
• tells lies
• steals
• plays with fire
• learning problems
• misbehaves at school
• fascinated with matches or fires
• experienced a recent change in family life (death, separation, divorce, move)

Exploring fire is part of a child's growth process-especially between the ages of three and nine. the majority of fires set by children are set out of experimentation or are accidental. Punishment, discipline, and "scare tactics" will not necessarily satisfy a child's curiosity about fire. The child needs to be educated about the proper and safe use of matches as well as the dangers of playing with fire.

Fire setting behavior in some children, ages five through early teens, is a way of expressing feelings. Sometimes a change in family structure, such as, but not limited to, divorce, abuse, neglect, death of a loved one, or a new baby can bring unhappiness or anger into the child's life. The child will set fires to vent these frustrations. The fire play will usually continue until the child receives counseling and education. The fire play may be a symptom of emotional or psychological stress.

Some older adolescents and young teens, as a pair or as a group, set fires in outdoor locations such as dumpsters, brush fires, or as acts of vandalism. Damage repayment and education is one way to treat this behavior.

Some children, aged seven through adolescent, my have school and social behavioral problems. Often there is no clear-cut motive for the fire setting. It is natural for this type of fire setter to repeatedly set fires. Counseling is needed to correct the behavior.

Early detection and treatment are essential in stopping fire setting behavior. Fire setters must be evaluated to determine the motivation for the fire setting behavior. Juvenile fire setter education programs, mental health services, and social services may be necessary to adequately identify and treat this behavior.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency of the U.S. Fire Administration recommends:

• Always keep matches and lighters out of reach of young children.
• Always supervise a young child in a room where an open flame is present (fireplaces, candles, heaters, etc.).
• Teach young children that matches and lighters are tools, not toys. Demonstrate how you cautiously use these tools.
• Never leave young children unattended, even for short periods of time.
• Hire only experienced, trained babysitters.
• Teach children about fire safety when they first show interest. Discuss the proper use of fire and how destructive fire is if not used safely.

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