Fifty-four percent of all arson arrests in the United States are children under 18. There is a tremendous cost to the community from child set fires, and too often the cost is the life of the child who set the fire. Fire setting by children is a problem that needs immediate attention. Waterloo Fire Rescue’s Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program promotes partnerships between the fire service, law enforcement, mental health practitioners, the medical community, and the child advocate agencies that must deal with the aftermath of child-set fires.
As educators and parents it is important to take a look at why children set fires. Most children set fires out of curiosity. Others are reactionary, because they are upset and need attention. Parents and caregivers need to teach their children about the power of fire; that a fire can get out of control in seconds, can double in size every minute and can overcome an entire home in just five minutes. Controlling access to matches, lighters and other materials that can start a fire is critical. Store matches and lighters in locked cupboards. Teach children if they find matches and lighters to tell an adult. Parents must make sure that their children are adequately supervised. Most young fire setters are children that are unsupervised.
Teenagers set fires for many reasons – a prank, a dare, to cover a crime, and most don’t realize that they are breaking the law and could go to jail. Parents have primary responsibility for teaching their children and youth the proper uses and danger of fire. Parents must also teach independence, responsibility and decision-making. When parents don’t provide these skills to a child, the child acts impulsively and makes poor choices. At age 12 and older youth can get into trouble for committing crimes such as arson and may have to go to court with their parents. Punishments may include: community service, restitution, or detention/commitment.
Parents should teach older children proper techniques for using fire and fire tools, praise children for practicing responsible behavior and showing respect for fire, and set a good example for using matches, lighters and fire carefully.
Waterloo Fire Rescue Fire PALS program is designed to prevent curiosity in the first place by providing fire and life safety education to the youth in our community. Our Juvenile Fire Setting Intervention Program is set up to identify and provide for children and families who need fire safety education, counseling and social services using community resources. For more information regarding our Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program call us at 319-291-4359.