For parents, the dangers of fire are so apparent that the sight
of a child anywhere near a flame is enough to send them scrambling.
And fortunately, most kids are afraid of fire and understand that
it can hurt them and others.
But it's not unusual for kids to be curious about fire.
After all, we gather around them when we're making campfires or
singing over birthday cakes. That's why it's so
important to educate kids about the dangers of fire and to keep
them away from matches, lighters, and other fire-starting
tools.
Even with the best efforts from parents, kids might play with
fire. Most of the time this can be handled by explaining the
dangers and setting clear ground rules and consequences for not
following them. But sometimes kids seem to be especially
preoccupied with fire and repeatedly attempt to set things on fire,
which can be a sign of emotional and behavioral issues that require
professional
help.
Why Kids Set Fires
Young children who set fires usually do so out of curiosity or
accidentally while playing with fire, matches, or lighters, and
don't know how dangerous fire can be. During the preschool
years, fire is just another part of the world they're
exploring. Unfortunately, these fires tend to be the most deadly
because kids in that age group don't know how to respond to a
fire, and may set it in a small, enclosed space, such as a
closet.
As kids get a little older, they might be fascinated with fire.
It's fairly common for them to do things like light paper with
matches, set things on fire using a magnifying glass, or play with
candles or other things that have a flame. That's usually not a
cause for concern.
But if a school-age child deliberately sets fires, even after
being reprimanded or punished, a parent needs to talk to the child
and consider getting professional help. That's especially true
if the child is setting fires to larger objects or in areas where
the flames can easily spread and cause injury and damage.
Talk with your child's doctor or consult a mental health
professional if your child exhibits behaviors such as:
- adding more fuel to fires in the fireplace, grill, or
campfires, even when told not to
- pocketing matches or hiding fire-starting materials
- lighting candles, fireworks, and other things, despite being
told not to
Kids might set fires for any number of reasons. They may be
angry or looking for attention. They may be struggling with
stressful problems at home, at school, or with friends. Some set
fires as a cry for help because they're being neglected at home
or even abused. Even though they may know how dangerous fire can
be, they may have other problems that involve difficulty with
impulse control.
Whatever the reason for firesetting, parents need to get to the
root of the behavior and address underlying problems. It's
important to consider seeking professional help as soon as possible
to prevent serious damage or injury.
What to Do if Your Child Sets a Fire
If you discover your child setting a fire, it's important
not to ignore it or assume that with punishment, your child has
learned the lesson. Because even one small fire can have disastrous
consequences, it's vital to stop the behavior immediately. Many
kids who set fires do so repeatedly, especially if there is no
intervention.
If your child is very young, prevent access to the tools
that can start another fire. Keep matches, lighters, and any
other sources of fire safely out of your child's reach and
view.
Talk to your child about how dangerous fire is and how it can hurt
your child and your family. If you haven't established any
specific rules about fire, this is a good time to do so. Explain
that, just like other things that are off-limits (like touching
knives or the oven), matches and lighters are things only adults
should use.
If your child is beyond the preschool years (around age 5 or
older) and is setting fires, talk with your child's
doctor, school counselor, or a mental health professional. You
might also want to contact your local fire department - many have
programs designed to teach kids who have set fires about the
dangers and consequences of firesetting.
Preventing Kids From Starting Fires
- Keep your house safe.
Never leave matches or lighters in a room where a child spends
unsupervised time. If you have preschool-age kids, keep matches
out of sight and locked up. Although many lighters are labeled
child-resistant, none are fully childproof so make sure these are
inaccessible too. And never leave a burning candle and a young
child in the same room unattended.
- Teach kids about
fire safety
.
Make sure kids understand - from a young age - that even a small
fire can be dangerous and deadly. Keep small children far from
the stove (at least 3 feet away) while it's on and explain
why. Teach kids to tell you when they find matches or lighters or
if they see other kids carrying them or playing with fire. Teach
them what to do if their clothes catch fire (stop, drop, and
roll) and what to do if there's a fire in your house.
- Set a good example.
Use fire only in appropriate ways - to light candles or as a tool
in your grill, camp, wood stove, or fireplace. Never amuse kids
by playing with matches or lighters, or even burning candle wax.
Show them how you always put out fires completely when you are
through with them and that you never leave a fire burning when
you're not there.
- Don't allow smoking in your home.
It's more difficult to keep lighters and matches away from
kids in homes where adults smoke. Children in these homes also
see adults using fire repeatedly throughout the day, which can
influence their behavior.
Parents play an important role in making kids aware of the
dangers posed by fire and establishing ground rules about how to
handle it. By keeping matches and lighters out of reach and staying
alert to signs that a child may be playing with fire, you can
help ensure that your entire family stays safe.
Reviewed by:
W. Douglas Tynan, PhD
Date reviewed: November 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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