Facts About Children Fire Starters
More than 50% of all arsonists arrested are juveniles, reported Andrew Sparber in the July-September 2005 issue of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing. Two hundred and eighty deaths and 2,400 injuries could be attributed to these arsons each year, says the 2003 FBI report that Sparber referred to in his study. In order to curb these arsons, we need to begin to understand why children start fires.
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Warning Signs
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If you find burned toys or personal belongings around the house, singe marks on the furniture, carpeting or drapes, or if you realize that you're missing matches or lighters, investigate your child's participation. Children who begin playing with fire will not necessarily outgrow the phase, so don't assume that they will. Injuries or death can result from one single fire starting event.
Curiosity
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Some children start fires because they are simply curious about what will happen. They want to know what fire looks like, how it feels and how it burns. They may also want to imitate mom and dad by lighting candles or the fireplace. The problem with this curiosity is that children don't fully understand the ramifications of their actions. They don't understand that scars can last forever or that death is permanent. It is up to the adults in a child's life to teach him the power and danger of fire.
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Emotional Upset
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Fire starting can be a cry for help, a tangible way for a child to articulate his pain. A family break-up or the death of a loved one can cause upheaval in a child's life, as can abuse in the household. A child who starts fires might be trying to express anger at himself or the world. It is not uncommon for a juvenile arsonist to be a child who is bullied at school, experiences chronic failure, sometimes caused by learning disabilities or who feels otherwise powerless about what's going on in his life. These children desperately need counseling to get to the root of their pain and anger.
Parents' Role
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While stopping a juvenile arsonist involves more than a hand slap, there are things his parents can do to make it tougher for him to start a fire. The most important thing to do is to teach him that fire can be dangerous. Don't forget that children will mimic your actions, so don't be careless when you're working with fire. Store flammable liquids away from children and never leave your child around a source of open flame, such as a fireplace, candle or campfire. Teach children to bring matches or lighters to an adult.
Intervention Programs
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If your child is fascinated by fire and starting fires, seek help. Ask you child's physician or school counselor to refer you to a reputable counselor or program that specializes in arson issues. Remember that the reason a child starts fires is because he's in pain and wants someone to hear him and help. Find him the help he needs.
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References
- Photo Credit fire image by Fotocie from Fotolia.com
