by

Don Porth
SOS FIRES: Youth Intervention Programs

 In my home, fire safety is a way of life. I am a firefighter. And like most firefighters, I believe deeply in the concepts of fire safety, especially regarding children. My two sons are no strangers to many of the fire stations in town and are intimately familiar with the drivers seat of a fire engine. The fire service and issues surrounding fire safety are integral parts of life in our family.

As a father, I am always concerned about raising my two sons in the best way possible. As a firefighter who works with juvenile firesetters, I am especially sensitive to fire safety issues. Naturally, I am concerned that someday my own children might develop a curiosity about fire that could be dangerous to themselves or others. How can I prevent my children from falling prey to the lure of fireplay?

As a juvenile firesetter specialist with the Portland Bureau of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services in Portland, Oregon, I see several hundred children each year who have used fire in an inappropriate way. Two-thirds of the children seen by this program are deemed to be "curiosity." This means that their involvement stems from a lack of knowledge or direction about fire. These children can receive all of the knowledge they need to be safe with fire right in their own homes if their parents are sensitive to fire safety and issues surrounding the use of matches and lighters.

Fire safety is simple if we remember to put it in the proper perspective. Below are some helpful hints that I have employed in my home and I encourage other parents to use with their curious children. Do not wait for your child to become curious with fire before offering them information about fire safety. Although fire does hold a useful place in our daily lives, it can be a deadly menace when used improperly.

The single greatest contributing factor to children being involved with fire is accessibility to matches and lighters. This is very simple to solve and under complete control of you, the parent. To a child, a lighter is a fascinating device. It is colorful and fits their hand very nicely. Besides, they may be seeing Mom and Dad use it all the time.

My family, like many others, occasionally uses matches and lighters. We always keep our matches in an enclosed, upper cupboard, out of sight and out of reach.

LOOK AT FIRE SAFETY THROUGH YOUR CHILD'S EYES.

It is easy for adults to make the distinction between the right and wrong use of fire. Unlike adults, children do not have the same life experiences from which to draw. We can help them understand fire safety by taking the time to explain it in a language they can understand. I try to avoid statements like "don't do that because...." That tells a child nothing. Instead, try to explain why they should not perform a particular act and offer alternative choices. Also, be clear about the consequences of breaking these important rules.

Parents are the single most influential role model that the children will ever experience. Many of the habits and mannerisms that children will develop will be the mirror image of parental actions. Take a moment to stop and think about the example you set when you use matches and lighters to light candles, cigarettes, the fireplace, the barbecue, or any other household use of fire. Are you treating fire with the same respect you want your children to learn?

Although it seems awkward and unnecessary, I take a very animated approach toward the use of matches and lighters. By incorporating every step of the lighting and extinguishing process in a very obvious manner, the actions show an involved process that children will not take lightly. children will also learning that this is an important issue to you.

FIRE IS A TOOL, NOT A TOY.

The use of matches and lighters should be similar to the use of other household tools. Most houses have sharp kitchen knives readily available on kitchen counters and in drawers. It has been made very clear to most children that knives are sharp, dangerous tools that they should not be touching without Mom and Dad's permission.

The actions of a parent using these devices will speak louder than any words they can utter. Knives are used for a specific purpose, fingers are kept away out of respect for the sharpness, and the general impression of a child watching an adult use a kitchen knife is that it is a dangerous device.

Do you treat matches and lighters the same way? Probably not. Can we reasonable expect our children to treat matches and lighters as dangerous tools if we, as adults, do not treat them that way ourselves? Absolutely not.

In my home, we treat matches and lighters in a very business like manner. Like other tools, my boys may be able to help, but only after a thorough explanation about the tool, how it is used, and why it is sometimes for adults only. In some cases, their assistance will not include direct contact with either the match or lighter.

When children show appropriate behavior with matches and lighters, (such as giving them to an adult or telling on a friend that may be misusing it) they should be rewarded. You know what kind of rewards motivate your children. Use them in your favor. Also, make clear the punishments for misuse of fire. If children are clear about the expectations regarding their behavior related to fire, they will probably make better decisions. My sons respond well to pocket change. Another good motivation is a trip to their favorite restaurant or the library to check out a new book. In either case, when they do the right things, especially with things that can cause damage or injury, we not only verbally express our appreciation but reward them for their good behavior.

Most schools are very good about educating children on fire safety. When schools are not proactive about fire safety issues, it usually is not because the fire department is unwilling to help. Fire agencies nationwide place high priority on educating children today so they will be fire safe adults tomorrow.

I volunteer to go to my children's classrooms and show the kids firefighter clothing and tools and talk about fire safety. This helps to personalize their fire safety education. It has also made me one of the most popular parents in the classroom.

Your local fire station is a great neighbor and a valuable resource. Stop in and get to know your neighborhood firefighters. The kids love an opportunity to see fire engines up close and learn about the excitement of firefighting. Most fire stations offer a variety of fun handouts for the children to take home. Station tours are a fun and welcome part of a firefighters life at the fire station.

I am dedicated to giving my two sons the benefit of as much information about fire safety as they need to make the right decisions. You do not have to be a firefighter to teach fire safety. You can be as effective as I am by following the guidelines outlined above. If you do not feel you have the ability to successfully educate your child about matches and lighters, contact your local fire department. Many have specific programs to deal with children who have a high level of curiosity about fire.

Fire is a dynamic, and at times, destructive force. Because fire has so many variables, it gets out of control with terrifying and sometimes deadly speed. When our children play with fire we can expect burns, loss of property, and loss of life. By being sensitive to fire safety issues in our homes, we can help safeguard our most valuable resource, our children.