Have you found your child playing with matches or lighters? Curiosity about fire can be a natural, but perilous thing. Children and young adults misusing or playing with fire can have dangerous or even deadly results. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The Fairfield Fire Department’s Youth Fire Misuse Intervention Program may be able to help with this potentially dangerous behavior. The service is free, and all information is kept strictly confidential. The program educates children and parents to stop youth fire misuse behavior from continuing. Please keep reading to find out more about youths misusing fire and to learn about our Youth Fire Misuse Intervention Program.

Why do youths misuse fire?

Youths misuse fire for a variety of reasons. Here is a list of reasons why youths misuse fire

• Curiosity: Many children are naturally curious about fire and find it exciting. 
• Boredom: Youth fire misuse can be a way to relieve boredom.
• Peer pressure: Youth fire misuse can be a way to fit in with peers. This includes social media challenges, or part of an initiation ritual.
• Anger: Youth fire misuse can be a way to express anger.
• Family or personal crisis: Youth fire misuse can be a way to cope with a difficult situation.

What are the consequences of youths misusing fire?

Youths misusing fire can lead to some serious consequences that can last a lifetime.

• Injuries: Youth fire misuse can cause injuries to children and others.  
• Fatalities: Youth fire misuse can cause deaths to children and others. 
• Property damage: Youth fire misuse can cause significant damage to property. 
• Arson charges: Youth who set fires that cause serious damage or death can be charged with arson. 

How can I prevent youths from misusing fire and keep my family safe?

Youths misusing fire can lead to some serious consequences that can last a lifetime.

• Educate children: 
  • Teach children about the dangers of fire and the consequences of setting fires.
  • Teach very young children that fire is a tool we use to cook food or heat the home. It is not magic, but can be 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 work a cigarette lighter!
  • Teach children not to even pick up lighters or matches and come ask a grownup to move them out of the reach of children.
  • 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/her the proper and safe way to use them (when parents feel they are ready). It may be best to take the appeal away and show them it is just a tool, not a toy.
  • Examples must be set. Always be careful with matches and fire. Keep your home safe and let your children help you.
• Supervise children: Keep children away from matches and lighters, and supervise them when they are around fire.
• Install smoke alarms: Install working smoke alarms on every level of the home, including sleeping areas 
• Practice a fire escape plan: Practice a fire escape plan with your family. 

Youth Fire Misuse: 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 may continue.
• Myth: "If you burn their hand, they will stop."
  Fact: If you burn your child, they 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 and fire play start out as small fires. Anytime a child sets a fire, they are endangering themselves and those around them. That’s a big deal.
• Myth: "Fire setting is pyromania."
  Fact: Pyromania is a disorder. Fire setting is not. It is a behavior that can have many causes and can be stopped.

Fairfield Fire Department Youth Misusing Fire Intervention Program

How the Program Works

Youths from 5 to 17 can be referred to the program from any of our partner agencies or by concerned parents. Participation is voluntary except for those referred by the Juvenile Court authorities. Trained fire personnel conduct interviews to determine potential causes of the curiosity and if further help is needed. If the behavior is found to be suggestive 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 educational studies. 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 three to six weeks to complete. Scheduling will be handled on an individual basis, but normally once a week until complete.

How to Enroll in the Program

To enroll in the Youth Fire Misuse Intervention Program, contact Deputy Chief Randy McCreadie at 513-858-8312 or by using the email link in the "Contact Us" portion of this page.

Additional Resources 

Here are some additional resources to help you as a child guardian to educate yourself and your children.

Preventing Youth Fire Misuse

Youth Fire Misuse Activity Sheet

Fire Statistics- Fires Started by Fire Misuse

Y FIRES- Help for Caregivers