Safety and Fire Prevention - Match and Lighter Safety
Every year, hundreds of children die in home fires started by children who were using or playing with matches or lighters. The widespread availability of lighters and matches pose serious fire risks. The number of child-set fires involving matches and lighters confirms the need for adults to be more vigilant about concealing lighters and matches from children and teach children the dangers of fire play. Lighters or matches are the ignition source in more that 50 percent of all child-set fires where the heat source was known.
Children as young as two years old have started fires with matches and lighters. If you live with children, treat matches and lighters as you would treat a power tool or a dangerous weapon: store them out of children?s reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Teach children at a very young age that if they see matches or lighters they should not touch them, but tell a grown-up where they are. Older school-age children should be taught to bring matches or lighters to an adult to keep them from younger children. As children grow more mature, they can learn how to use matches and lighters safely, but only under adult supervision.
Match and lighter fires are two types of fires that ordinary citizens can prevent through caution, preparation and education. Fire safety education for children and adults and safe storage and use of matches and lighters may reduce the numbers of fires from lighter or matches as well as the overall incidence of such fires.
Children can easily identify and understand the dangers of some tool in the home. A match is also a tool. Teach them that using a match to light a barbecue, start a fire in the fireplace, or ignite a pilot light are examples of proper ways for adults to use a match.
Many novelty lighters are designed to look like toys, and the shape of BBQ lighters makes them easy for children to handle. Describe the dangers of these lighters to your child.
Keep your children safe
- Store matches and lighters out of children?s reach.
- If you smoke, have one lighter and keep it on you at all times.
- Teach children that matches and lighters are tool for adults, not toys.
- Ensure smoke alarms and installed and maintained on every level of your home.
- If you suspect your child is setting fires, get help immediately. Contact Oshawa Fire
Services to learn about the TAPP-C program for children identified as misusing fire.
