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Juvenile Fire Setter Program
This is a voluntary program that addresses a child's or teen's fire setting, fire play, fire experimentation or interest in fire. Most children express a natural and normal curiosity about fire in their early life but how much is too much? The truth is that for children there is no safe or ok amount of involvement with fire. If you know your child is doing something with fire it is important to deal with it immediately. Curiosity about fire can result in devastating injuries and loss of property if the behavior is ignored. White Rock Fire Rescue can help.
Purpose of the Program
The purpose of this intervention program is to help children / teens and families address fire safety and the appropriate use of fire through education and awareness. This is accomplished through an interview and evaluation process to determine the nature of the fire play or fire setting concern and to address ways in which that behavior can be positively, effective and safely handled.
Program Structure
All Fire Safety Specialists with White Rock Fire Rescue have the training and experience in dealing with youth fire play occurrences.
Step 1: (15 minutes)
Initial information about your concerns will be taken over the phone and an appointment is scheduled.
Step 2: (1 hour)
During the first appointment the Fire Safety Specialist will:
- Gather information about the fire play/setting incident
- Help complete a parent and child questionnaire
- Provide family and child safety homework assignments
Step 3: (1 to 1 1/2 hours)
During the second appointment the fire safety specialist will:
- Discuss fire play consequences
- Explain components of fire behavior
- Explore the details of the fire incident in greater detail
- Present acceptable uses of fire and set age appropriate boundaries
- Present facts relating to burns and burn prevention
- Work toward a greater understanding about the dangers of fire
This is accomplished through discussion, posters, videos, activities and props in order to keep participants actively involved. All methods are age appropriate and a firm but caring manner is used.
A 3 month and 1 year follow-up will be completed. This is done in order to determine if the youth has or has not engaged in other unsafe fire play/setting behavior and to address any other fire related concerns the parent or youth may have. Follow-ups are done via phone or letter.
All information is treated as strictly confidential. However, in situations where referral to another agency is desired, the parents/legal guardians' written consent will be obtained before any information is shared.
Tips
The two most important things a parent can do is to eliminate their child's access to fire materials and their child's opportunity to use them.
- Children should be instructed not to touch matches or lighters they find outside and to tell a responsible adult where they saw it. The adult should dispose of or destroy it right away.
- Demonstrate fire-safe behaviour and a respect for the destructive power of fire. Your kids will do what you do so make sure you model the safe and appropriate use of matches and lighters.
- Ignition sources for candles, incense and the barbecue should be locked away.
- Keep track of ignition sources, such as matches and lighters
- Smokers should stick to only carrying one lighter and keep it on their person or lock it away at all times.
More Information
In order to access this potentially life-saving service, please phone White Rock Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Division at 604-541-2121.