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Juvenile Fire Watch Program |
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| Fire Safety Trailer |
The Problem Fires and Fireplay
Who Sets Fires and Why Experts tell us these facts about juvenile fire setting: Children Under the Age of 5: When younger children are involved in fire play it is almost always due to curiosity. Teach younger children that a match is a tool and not a toy. Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. Teach young children to tell an adult if they find matches or a lighter. Children 6 to 12 years old: When this group of children are involved in fire setting, they may be curious about fire or may have other serious problems. Take time to teach your children about the potential destructive nature of fire. Adolescent Children 13 to 17 years old: This age group rarely set fires due to curiosity. This can turn into a much more serious problem if professional intervention is not administered immediately. Signs of Concern Have you found your child playing with matches, lighters, or fireworks? Have you tried everything you know to stop this behavior? Curiosity about fire can be a natural, but dangerous thing. If fire play activity seems to be a common occurrence with your child, this is not normal and help is needed to find out why this is happening. Fire play can be deadly--- don’t be afraid to ask for help. Who Can Help Project Impact (which is funded by the Hudson County Department of Health & Human Services Youth Commission and the Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition) along with North Regional Fire & Rescue, in cooperation with St. Mary Hospital in Hoboken, has adopted the nationally recognized Juvenile Fire Watch Program. The goals of this program are to: 1. Reduce the incidence of fire within the 5 municipalities. 2. To identify, assess, and educate juvenile firesetters. 3. To establish a link between parents and legal guardians of children with Police, Fire Dept., Schools, and Social Services to offer a program for children with this problem. If your child has exhibited this type of behavior this program is in place. Please contact Battalion Chief Steve Quidor or Captain Thomas Irving at our Fire Headquarters.(201) 601-3542. An assessment by St. Mary Hospital will be administered to see what level of concern your child is. Then treatment will follow with either Fire Safety Education or counseling. Any questions please call us. |
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NORTH HUDSON REGIONAL FIRE & RESCUE |
Fire setting
behavior among juveniles is a growing problem in the United States. The
National Fire Protection Association statistics tell us over 1 million
fires are set each year by children. Over half of all arson fires are
started by juveniles. These children range in age
from toddlers through late adolescents and come from all socioeconomic
groups, cultures and family backgrounds. This growing problem
requires community action through the coordination among police, fire
agencies, schools, burn centers, juvenile justice, and mental health
services.