Fire Department of the City of High Point NC, Municipal Government Website

SMALL HANDS BIG FIRES

PROFILE OF A FIRESETTER

Curious Firesetters

Many young children are fascinated by matches and lighters but don't know about fire's destructive conse-quences. 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.

Severely Disturbed Firesetters

These youth often have a long history of behavioral problems. Their symptoms usually fall into two major personality types labeled as "Impulsive Neurotic" and "Borderline Psychotic." Many of these firesetters are in state mental or correctional institutions.

85 percent of the victims of child-set fires are the children themselves.

FIREPLAY

A Deadly Game

Fireplay is a deadly game that should not be dismissed as a "phase" or simple "curiosity." Records show that at least 50 percent of the approximate 600,000 residential fires in the U.S. are set by children. Children must be properly supervised and educated about fire's destructive power.

Fire departments nationwide are implementing special programs to identify and stop juvenile firesetting. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent normal childhood curiosity from turning into disaster.

Juvenile firesetting can be prevented when parents, teachers, firefighters, law enforcement authorities and all caregivers become aware of firesetting.

PREVENTION

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

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 con 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 baby-sitters.
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.

TREATMENT

Firefighters who interview juvenile firesetters and their parents are trained to evaluate the child's firesetting behavior. If the fire is set because of simple curiosity or poor judgment a recommendation may be made for enrolling the child in an intensive fire safety education program. These programs are highly successful in preventing firesetting because of curiosity.

In case of a troubled or disturbed child parents are referred to mental health services where the child con receive special help. If parents resist or refuse legal action may be necessary. In some cases the firesetter has to be referred to the child protective services or juvenile police section. Adolescent firesetters are evaluated to determine if their fires are set because of criminal intention. Some may have serious mental disorders needing psychiatric attention.

BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS

There ore many reasons children set fires. Sometimes fires are set out of a natural curiosity, but at times it is an indication of a behavioral problem that may require professional help.

Listed below are common characteristics of firesetting behavior. Circle the answer - yes or no - that best describes your child.

YES	NO	Plays alone.
YES	NO	Finds it hard to form close relationships.
YES	NO	Fights with peers.
YES	NO	Stutters.
YES	NO	Wets the bed.
YES	NO	Sleeping problems (insomnia, sleepwalking).
YES	NO	Health problems.
YES	NO	Runs away from home.
YES	NO	Extreme mood swings.
YES	NO	Violent outbursts.
YES	NO	Shy.
YES	NO	Tells lies.
YES	NO	Steals.
YES	NO	Nightmares.
YES	NO	Ploys with fire.
YES	NO	Destroys own toys.
YES	NO	Destroys others toys.
YES	NO	Fights with siblings.
YES	NO	Sets several fires over the past months/year.
YES	NO	Disobeys adults.
YES	NO	Frequently tardy or absent from school.
YES	NO	Eating disorder.
YES	NO	Learning problems.
YES	NO	Physically harms others.
YES	NO	Misbehaves at school.
YES	NO	Intentionally harms himself.
YES	NO	Intentionally harms animals.
YES	NO	Jealous of peers or siblings.
YES	NO	Fascinated with matches or fires.
YES	NO	Unusual fears or phobias.
YES	NO	Experienced a recent change in home life.

If you hove circled "yes" for any or all of the questions listed above, it does not mean your child is definitely a firesetter, but it may mean your child should be evaluated to properly diagnose and treat the cause of his behavior. Contact your local fire department or mental health agency for more information

A FAMILY MATTERIn the time it takes you to read this sentence,
a child could change his life and the life of
his family with the strike of just one match.
Make fire safety a family matter.
Learn everything you can about fire safety
and make it a part of your family's life.

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City of High Point P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, NC 27261 USA

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