- Locate matches and lighters in your home and dispose of them or place them in a secure area
- If you smoke, keep the lighter with you at all times and dispose of other lighters
- Teach your children to tell an adult when they find matches or lighters
- Test your smoke alarms monthly as a family to ensure they are working
- Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it as a family
- Perform your own home fire inspection to ensure your home is fire safe
Alberta fire statistics show that about 20% of child fire victims died in fires they started themselves. Matches and lighters were used in 70% of the destructive fires started by children.
If your child has misused fire, deliberately started a fire or if you are concerned about your child’s interest in fire - please call Edmonton Fire Rescue Services’ Fire Prevention Office and ask about Y-FIRES.
Children referred to Y-FIRES attend a single meeting which includes:
- An interview with both the parent/caregiver and the child/youth
- An incident overview
- An educational discussion
- A video discussion
- Referral to professional help when necessary
Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialists can help youth understand that “playing with” or misusing fire is very dangerous. Deliberate firesetting is a serious matter. Youth who have deliberately started a fire may be indirectly indicating additional, underlying problems. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services can assist with a referral to outside agencies for further assessment when needed.
For Parents
What You Can Do
Signs Your Child May Be "Playing With" or Misusing Fire
-
Your child smells of smoke
-
Your child has burned or singed clothing such as pant or coat cuffs
-
Your child has singed hair, eyebrows or eyelashes
-
You find used matches in the wastebasket or toilet
-
You find burned or melted items such as toys, paper or plastic in garbage cans or under furniture
-
Your child has burned fingers or conceals his/her fingers to hide burned areas