Help for Children Setting Fires
Do you find your child playing with matches or lighters? Have you tried everything you know to stop this behavior, but nothing seems to work? Don't know what to do ... afraid of what might happen if this fireplay continues?
Curiosity about fire can be a natural, but dangerous thing. If fireplay activity seems to be a common occurrence with your child, it is not normal, and help is needed to find out why it is happening. Fireplay can be deadly. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Fairfield Fire Department's Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program may be able to help curb the dangerous behavior. The service is free, and all information is kept strictly confidential.
The program educates children and parents to stop firesetting behavior from continuing. It is a collaborate effort between the Investigation Unit, fire suppression personnel, the Fire Prevention Bureau, Butler County Juvenile Court and the Butler County Board of Mental Health.
How the Program Works
Young firesetters can be referred to the program from any of the partner agencies or by concerned parents. The program has been designed for preschool ages through teens. Participation is voluntary except for those referred by the Juvenile Court authorities.
Trained fire personnel conduct interviews to determine whether the firesetting was accidental, a result of curiosity or a symptom of deeper problems. If the behavior is found to be indicative of more serious problems, referral to specialized social services or mental health agencies will be recommended.
For others, the program educates them in fire safety through the performance of various tasks. Parents assist the child and keep track of his/her progress. It is the intention of this program to teach the child the dangers of fire and ways of making his/her family fire safe.
The program normally takes six weeks to complete — one evening each week.
Types of Juvenile Firesetters
The Curious Firesetter: This child is curious about fire and plays with it in order to learn about it. The curious child needs fire prevention education and supervision to channel his/her interests to safer, non-ignition fire activities.
The Delinquent Firesetter: The delinquent firesetter is responding to peer pressure and acting without thinking about the consequences of his/her actions. He/she needs to take responsibility for his/her actions with fire prevention education and community service that is court mandated.
The Crisis Firesetter: This child sends a "cry for help" with his or her firesetting, because they are unable to cope with some trauma or stress. The crisis firesetter needs supportive fire prevention education and counseling to help him/her learn safer ways to cope with problems.
The Pathological Firesetter: This emotionally disturbed child uses the power of fire to compensate for feelings of helplessness. This child needs intensive treatment in a secure hospital or residential program.
Steps to Prevent Firesetting
These five steps can prevent most firesetting:
- Teach very young children that fire is a tool we use to cook food or heat the home. It is not magic, but it is dangerous and only for adults to use carefully (use the example for driving a car or using power tools).
- Keep all matches and lighters out of the reach of very young children. Even a 2-year-old can easily work a cigarette lighter!
- Praise or reward children when they bring matches to you.
- Explain why it is important to use matches only when needed and with an adult present. If an older child is curious about matches, show him the proper and safe way to use them.
- Examples must be set. Always be careful with matches and fire. Keep your home safe and let your children help you.
Firesetting: Facts or Myths?
Myth: "It's normal for children to play with fire."
Fact: While curiosity about fire is common, fire play or setting is not, and it can be deadly.
Myth: "It's a phase that he will grow out of."
Fact: It is not a phase and you must deal with it immediately or it will continue.
Myth: "If you burn his hand, he will stop."
Fact: If you burn your child, he will be scarred, that's all. You must address the real reason for the fire before the child will stop.
Myth: "If the fires are small, it is no big deal."
Fact: All fires start out as small fires. Anytime a child sets a fire, he is endangering himself and the around him. That's a big deal.
Myth: "Firesetting is pyromania."
Fact: Pyromania is a disorder. Firesetting is not. It is a behavior that can have many causes and can be stopped.