Big Fires Start Small: Children and Fires

Did you know that fires are the #1 cause of death in the home for children under 5 years old?  Or that 1/3 of all kids that died in a fire started it themselves? How about the fact that 1 in every 15 structure fires is started by a child under the age of 14!

So just WHO sets these fires?

Some children engage in fire-play out of curiosity without realizing its dangers. Some use fire-play as a bid for attention.  Children in crisis may set fires intentionally, as a  way of acting out their anger or frustrations.  However, with proper intervention, these kids can be helped.  Massachusetts has initiated an official "Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program" that can be viewed by clicking HERE.

Playing With Fire

Children are naturally curious and fire is fascinating.  If a child expresses a natural interest in fires, do not overreact.  

All children should be taught that matches and lighters are tools, not toys and that fire is dangerous.  Always keep matches and lighters up high and out of reach of kids, preferably in a locked cabinet.  Never leave a child alone with a burning candle, cooking fire, fireplace fire, campfire, barbecue or any other type of open flame.

Older children should be taught, with adult supervision, to use fire properly.  Have them help you use fire responsibly through such safe activities as putting charcoal in the grill before you light it.

Don't try to scare kids from fire.  Teach them to respect it.  A child made afraid of fire may try to hide instead of flee in the event of a structure fire.

Crisis Fire Starters

The negative behavior characteristics associated with setting fires are shared to some extent by all young people, most of whom never set a fire.  In general, experts agree that setting a fire, like other antisocial behavior, is often a ay of getting attention, exercising power, or acting out the need for help.

The "crisis fire setter" is typically a school-aged child, usually male, in his or her early mid-teens or younger.  He or she may be upset about a crisis or major change in their lives (a death, move, divorce, etc.) or feel confused, angry, frustrated, or powerless for some other reason.  Sometimes, a child who deliberately sets fires feels alienated because of a learning disability or other source of chronic failure.  Sometimes, he or she comes from an abusive household.  The potentially deadly fires these young people set may be symbolic and even self-destructive - the result of complex family, social and psychological circumstances.

Such children need help.  Their fire setting is a symptom of a problem, not the problem itself.  But it must be stopped.  Parents, teachers, school administrators and neighbors should step in when they suspect a troubled child of using fire as a weapon.  A list of psychologists specializing in such behavior may be found on the Massachusetts "Juvenile Firesetters" web page linked at the top of this page.

When to Seek Help

If your child plays with matches or lighters and doesn't respond to your efforts to redirect his or her interest, the child may benefit from professional counseling.  Parents who suspect, or find evidence, that their child is setting even small fires, should approach the child with concern for the potentially fatal consequences of fire setting.  They should also reassure the child about any crisis that may be provoking the behavior, listen carefully when the child describes his or her feelings and get professional help.

You may contact the Southborough Fire Department's Fire Prevention Officer, Joseph Mauro at 508-485-3235 for further assistance.