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If a family needs help with a child that
is or has been showing an interest in firesetting or similar behavior,
they can contact their local fire department to have a trained
Intervention Specialist interview and evaluate the child. If there
is not a trained person in your area, families can call the Juvenile
Firesetters Hotline for help in getting in contact with a trained
Intervention Specialist. |
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Illinois State Fire Marshall
http://www.state.il.us/osfm
Illinois Fire Safety Alliance
http://www.ifsa.org
National Fire Protection Assoc.
http://www.nfpa.org
National Association of State Fire
Marshals
http://www.firemarshals.org
United States Fire Administration
http://www.usfa.fema.gov
International Association of Arson
Investigators
www.firearson.com
Illinois Association of Arson
Investigators
http://il-iaai.com
International Association of Firefighters
www.iaff.org
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Youthful Firesetters
Hotline
1-800-446-1589
Loyola University
Medical Center
1-708-216-8739
Illinois State Fire
Marshal Office
1-217-785-1021
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PROFILE OF A FIRESETTER: Curious
Firesetters - Many young children are fascinated by matches and
lighters but do not know about fire's destructive consequences.
Children set fires because of curiosity or accidentally because of poor
judgment. Young children love to imitate adults who light
cigarettes, candles or fireplaces. Unfortunately, many lack
parental supervision or education about fire safety.
Troubled Firesetters - Mental or
emotional disturbances can cause firesetting behavior. Ages of
troubled firesetters can range from preschoolers through teenagers.
These children often set fires as a way to act out anger, frustration
and feelings of being powerless.
Delinquent Firesetters - These are
youths usually in their teens with a history of starting fires.
They set fires as acts of vandalism or for creating excitement and
destroying property. Usually strongly influenced by their peers,
they use fire to cause malicious mischief or rebel against authority.
Abandoned buildings, open fields and schools are common targets.
Most of these firesetters have a history of antisocial behavior, lying,
stealing, truancy and drugs. |
Recommendations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the U.S.
Fire Administration *Always keep matches and lighters
out of reach of small children.
*Be emphatic: Tell the child "No! You are not to play
with matches and lighters! They can burn and hurt you!"
*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.
With adult supervision, demonstrate how you cautiously use these tools.
*Closely supervise and teach a child how to safely strike a match or
light a candle.
*Never leave young children unattended, even for short periods.
*Hire only experienced trained babysitters.
*Teach children about fire when they first show interest.
Discuss the proper use of fire and how destructive fire is if not used
safely. Contact your local fire department about fire safety
education programs and material for children. |
