USFA launches educational program focusing on “curious kids”
In an effort to reduce the number of fires started by inquisitive children playing with matches, the United States Fire Administration has developed a program to help fire departments educate parents, teachers, and children.
“Curious Kids Set Fires” discusses the importance of teaching children that experimenting with matches and fire can have serious consequences. The kit includes primary school curricula and guidelines for working with schools and the media. A resource guide lists “curiosity firesetter” programs and other relevant publications and public education materials.
According to USFA estimations, of every 100 children who die in fires in the U.S., 24 are killed because of children playing with fire. Additionally, of every 100 people who die in child-set fires, 85 are children under the age of 10. In 1986, child-set fires resulted in approximately 4,000 injuries and 300 deaths.
In addition to “Curious Kids Set Fires,” the USFA has available three juvenile firesetter counseling guides: Interviewing and Counseling Juvenile Firesetters: The Child Under Seven Years of Age: Juvenile Firesetters Handbook-Dealing with Children Ages 7-14; and Adolescent Firesetting Evalu -ation and Intervention Ages 14-18.
The United States Fire Administration has a new address for those interested in receiving its fire safety education materials: U.S, Fire Administration/Fedcral Emergency Management Agency, P.O. Box 70274, Washington, D.C. 20024.
