More than 50 percent of all people charged with arson are under the age of 18. And fire-setting by juveniles has been identified as the fastest growing threat in the United States.
This year's Arson Awareness Week (May 1-7) theme is "Working Together to Extinguish Serial Arsonists." The Burn Foundation recognizes that many children experience a natural curiosity about fire. During childhood, fire represents celebration such as birthday parties, winter holidays and other family gatherings. Most children never progress to fire-play or setting fires. Unfortunately, for those who do, juvenile fire-setting may set the stage for the crime of arson.
Some of the consequences resulting from youth fire-setting include:
n Over 300 deaths and 2,000 injuries annually.
n An estimated $300 million in property damage.
n Receiving a painful and life-threatening injury: 34 percent of the victims of child-set fires are the children themselves.
While these are sobering statistics, unlike other crimes, the rate of recidivism is very low if the behavior is addressed early. One thing that parents may wonder is, "How would I know if my child were engaging in juvenile fire-play or arson?" It is important to understand that fire-setting is a progression of behaviors.
For instance, young children under the age of 7 may start fires by accident or curiosity, but are usually not aware of the potential consequences. Children a bit older but not yet teenagers may think they are experimenting, but may also be reacting to conflicts within their own lives. Finally, teenagers who set fires generally display other behavioral problems, and could be reacting to trouble at school, within the family or yielding to peer pressure.
Recognizing that many delinquency issues are interrelated, parents and community members concerned about a child could consider warning signs such as:
n Curiosity about fire.
n Problems at home, family conflicts, parental substance abuse.
n Problems in social relationships with peers.
n Behavioral problems (lying, stealing, bullying).
n Substance use.
n Cruelty or abuse of animals.
Most authorities agree: The single most productive thing that parents can do to prevent juvenile fire-setting and other delinquent behaviors is to be involved in their children's lives. Who are their friends? What is your child's mood like? How does your child feel about him or herself? Have there been any sudden changes in his or her behavior?
Parents sometimes feel powerless when it comes to teen behavior, but studies have shown that families who express disapproval of playing with fire reduce the incidence of juvenile fire-setting in their families by up to 75 percent. Setting matches and lighters up high and out of reach can be helpful for young children; showing respect for fire and modeling fire safety while being watched by children can make a powerful impression.
Most critically, don't ignore the problem. Parents should never give tacit approval to their children's fire-setting behavior by assuming it is normal. Even a small incident that can easily be dismissed as "curiosity" should be addressed through family and community education with a local fire department. Many departments have experts in working with juveniles who set fires and can help families if additional mental health evaluation is indicated.
Fire-setting is not child's play; it can be a serious indicator of later problems for children. You can discourage this behavior by conveying your disapproval. The Burn Foundation, your local fire department or burn center can refer you to professionals who have experience working with juveniles who set fires.
For more information on how you can help prevent burns, please call 215-545-3816, or visit us at www.burnfoundation.org.
Patsy Porter has been president and CEO of The Burn Foundation since October 2007 and is always available to discuss opportunities to support the foundation's work. Contact her at: firstname.lastname@example.org.