CURIOUS KIDS SET FIRES SAFETY INFORMATION
Every day Americans experience the tragedy of fire, each year, 5,000 Americans die in fires and more than 30,000 are injured. Figures show that each year about 450 people are killed and $300 million in properly is destroyed in fires attributed to children playing with fire. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages parents to teach children at an early age about the dangers of fireplay in an effort to prevent child injuries, fire deaths, and foreseeing behavior in the future. Below are some of the facts
CHILDREN FIRE FACTS
- Children under five are curious about fire. Often what begins as a natural exploration of the unknown can lead to tragedy.
- Children set over 100,000 fires every year.
- Children make up between 20 - 25% of all fire deaths.
- 40% of the fires that kill children under 5 are set by children playing with fire.
- At home, children usually play with fire in their bedrooms, in closets, and under beds. These are "secret" places where things can catch fire easily.
- Too often, child firesetters are not given proper guidance and supervision by and teachers. Consequently, they repeat their firesetting behavior.
