Tools
BY TIMOTHY SZYMANSKI
SPECIAL TO THE REVIEW-JOURNAL
SPECIAL TO THE REVIEW-JOURNAL
Posted: May 13, 2012 | 2:05 a.m.
The theme of this year's Arson Awareness Week, which concluded Saturday, was "Prevent Youth Firesetting."
How big a problem is it?
Well, it is one of the leading causes of fires in Las Vegas as well as in the rest of the country. Juveniles (those under age 18) accounted for approximately 46 percent of arson arrests in the United States during the period 2005 to 2010.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, in the United States between the years 2005 to 2009, children playing with matches accounted for an average of 56,300 fires which caused 110 deaths, 880 injuries and $286 million in direct property damage.
Younger children usually were involved with fires inside the home (usually a bedroom) while older children set fires outside. Boys were involved more than girls and lighters were used 50 percent of the time.
Why do children do it?
Most of the time they are just curious or want to experiment with fire. Other times it is a cry for help because of some stressful situation in their life such as family divorce, bullying in school or abuse in the home. Older children usually do it for thrill-seeking. In some children it is triggered by emotional or mental disorders.
Lastly, there is the willful intent to cause destruction.
Youth firesetting is often referred to as the preventable arson. With a little prevention, you can prevent a tragedy from occurring.
Matches and lighters should be treated the same as a gun in the home. They should be locked in place where children can never get to them. Never leave them out in the open or in place where children could retrieve them.
Matches and lighters are tools that are used by adults. Do not use the word "play" with matches or lighters.
Use child-resistant lighters, but remember that they are not child proof.
Instruct children to inform an adult if they find matches or lighters. Tell them they should not touch them.
Parents should never use matches or lighters for fun, especially in front of children. Children will mimic you and when they do unsupervised, tragic events can occur. Be a role model and demonstrate safe practices where fire is involved.
There is never an exception to the rule especially during holidayseasons like the Fourth of July. Children should never be allowed to light fireworks.
The majority of fire fatalities in Southern Nevada occur in the home, the place where people feel the safest. Keep your home safe by routinely inspecting your home for fire hazards, install and maintain working smoke alarms throughout your home, plan and practice home fire-escape drills that include two ways out of every room and consider the possibility of having residential fire sprinklers in your home.
Tragically, children who die or are critically injured due to playing with matches average three to six years in age. Usually there are two or more of them together. If a fire starts, they usually hide instead of telling someone. Most children die of smoke inhalation in their bedroom and are found hiding in a closet, under the bed or in a large toy box.
If a fire does start, get everyone out of the home as quickly as possible. Do not attempt to put the fire out. Call 911 after you are outside and everyone is safe.
Timothy R. Szymanski is the public education and information officer for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. He is also the juvenile firesetter intervention specialist for Las Vegas and is a former fire investigator.
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