- 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.
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