Safety and Fire Prevention - The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C)
TAPP-C - The Arson Prevention Program for Children
About 50% of all arson fires are started by children. Most of these children are motivated by curiosity and their fascination with fire’ and for others, fire play or fire setting can be a symptom of other problems and can lead to tragic consequences. Children can start fire setting at any age and it is often a progressive behaviour. This means that without help and fire education, fire play can quickly progress into fire setting which could threaten the safety of the child and others.
The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C) helps families deal with children who may be involved in fire play or fire setting. The aim of the TAPP-C Program is to reduce fire involvement and to promote fire safety among children and youths aged 2 to 17 years.
TAPP-C is effective because it combines fire safety education with an assessment, which provides a more comprehensive approach to the problem of fire setting. The TAPP-C Prgram brings together the Oshawa Fire Services and counselling professionals to educate young fire setters and their families about safety, to condut an assessment regarding the risk of continued fire setting, and to help them deal with the problems they may be facing.
Referrals to the TAPP-C Program are accepted from parents and community service providers.
The Assessment
When a referral to the TAPP-C Program is made, the counsellor will contact the child and his/her parents to arrange for individual interviews. A risk assessment is done and recommendations for risk reduction are made.
An assessment through a counselling agency is intended to determine why a child is involved in fire setting and whether treatment is required. The TAPP-C assessment evaluates a child’s or youth’s risk of further fire setting and the risk of future injury or fatality. Once assessed, children and their families may be referred for appropriate counseling.
All personal information gathered during this program is securely maintained and cannot be disclosed to anyone without signed consent.
Oshawa Fire Services
Oshawa Fire Services provides professional fire safety education training for both the parents and the child/youth. The fie safety educational component of the TAPP-C Program focuses on certain fire safety behaviours that include such things as reducing hazards in the home and understanding the power of fire.
To start the program a Fire Safety Educator will visit the home. The Educator will work with the child and family to complete a fire safety audit of the home. Once completed, recommendations are made to make the home as fire safe as possible. Also, a fire safety plan is developed so that the family will know what to do should a fire start.
Following the home visit, there are usually two 1 hour sessions of instruction held in the local Fire Station and are arranged to suit the family’s timetable.
Once the child/youth has completed all the sessions, he or she is presented with a certificate. They are also required to sign a contract with Oshawa Fire Services stating that they will not be involved with fire play again. The child and family can contact the Educator at any time after he or she has graduated and they are often encourage to come by the Fire Hall for a visit.
Warning Signs
- Your child likes to play with matches and lighters and uses them like toys.
- You have concerns about your child’s behaviour and as well their fascination with fire.
- You have found burned items/toys in or around your house and garage, or on you child’s body.
- Fire materials, such as lighters or gas, are easily accessible or go missing.
- You have caught your child playing with fire or fire materials.
Safety Tips
- Install and maintain smoke alarms and practice a Home Fire Escape Plan.
- Safely store all fire materials and flammable items outside.
- Teach your child that matches and lighters are tools to be used by adults or with adult supervision.
In case of fire or an emergency, call 9-1-1.
