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The FIRE SMART program is an educational intervention program designed to educate parents and children about fire safety and the consequences of fire. Each family meets individually with a trained fire service educator. The educator will discuss the situation with the family, and recommend education or counseling. Educational services are free. Financial assistance with counseling may be available.
-Your child has played with fire
-Your child has deliberately set a fire
-You are unsure of how to teach your child about fire safety
Call the St. Joseph Fire Prevention Bureau at 816-271-4623
What is Firesetting?
Firesetting is the term used to describe the behavior of children who have begun to use fire in a way that is dangerous or not approved by a parent or caregiver. The term "firesetter" does not mean that a child has a problem. It does mean that the child needs additional education about the dangers and proper uses of fire. Through education, and in some cases, counseling, children can learn the skills to change this dangerous behavior.
When firesetting goes beyond what you are able to deal with, call the St. Joseph Fire Department, which can provide fire safety education for your family. The FIRE SMART program can help children who have been involved with fire. Do not hesitate dealing with this behavior; fire is a devastating and deadly force!
Understanding Firesetting
By determining the motivation for the firesetting, we can best determine how to deal with it. Most children fall into the following classifications:
Please note: these examples of firesetters are brief descriptions and are only a sampling of situations. Remember that every situation is different.
| Curiosity or Experimentation | Reactionary | Deviate Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| About 70% of firesetters are in this group. The child is curious. The opportunity is there because the child has access to fire tools and is not supervised. He or she decides to "see what fire will do." They typically do not think about or understand the danger of their actions. | These firesetters are usually older, upset about something and not very good at expressing themselves. They typically light a fire as a way to let grown-ups know they need help. Their firesetting is in reaction to a problem. | Usually teenagers. These firesetters light fires for many reasons. Most of the time it is a prank or because of a dare. Sometimes it is to conceal other crimes like vandalism or theft. Most firesetters in this group do not realize they are breaking the law and could go to jail. |
| Example: 5-year old Jason finds his parent's lighter on the table. He is feeling kind of bored, so he decides to set some papers and sticks on fire. His home life is stable, there have not been any recent stresses, and he seems sorry for what he did. | Example: Mom and Dad are fighting loudly. Sue (age 10) is scared and wants them to stop. She doesn't know how to communicate her feelings, so she takes a lighter into her bedroom and sets her bedding on fire. When the parents notice, they stop fighting. What's likely to happen the next time they fight if nothing changes? | Example: Other kids dare 15-year old Brent to light toilet paper in the school bathroom. Brent wants his friends to like him. Even though he knows it is wrong, he does it anyway. |
Anyone Can Call
Anyone who cares about the safety of a child can call for help. Families, friends, neighbors, teachers and you! For more information, please contact the St. Joseph Fire Prevention Bureau and ask about the FIRE SMART program.
Remember, it is important to take the early signs of firesetting seriously, Fire Department personnel have been training to assess firesetting behaviors, provide fire safety education and to recommend additional assistance, if needed.
What You Can Do
-Set a good example. If you smoke, be very responsible in your use of matches and lighters. Children learn by watching.
-Keep matches & lighters out of children's sight and reach. Even toddlers can use lighters and matches to start a fire.
-Teach your school children to "stop, drop and roll" if their clothing catches on fire.
-Tell them not to run, but to stop, drop to the floor, and roll over and over until the fire is out.
-Teach children the safe & proper ways to use fire. Be sure they understand it should only be used by a responsible grown-up.
-Smoke detectors save lives! Make sure you have a working smoke detector in your house, and practice your family escape plan.
