Parents Teaching & Caring for Children

If your child seems overly interested in fire or is preoccupied with setting fires you can contact us to speak with one of our youthful fire setter intervention specialists. Our specialists have been trained to help parents and children avoid potentially life threatening behaviors. Please contact our administrative office at 618-692-7540 to be placed in contact with a fire setter intervention specialist.

Recommended Parenting Actions

• Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
• Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Teach children not to pick up matches or lighters they may find. Instead, they should tell an adult immediately.
• Never leave children unattended near operating stoves or burning candles, even for a short time.
• Check under beds and in closets for burned matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire.

Kids' Fire Safety Tips

• Learn to help out and be fire safe.
• Don't play with matches, lighters or dangerous, flammable liquids like gasoline.
• Make sure nothing flammable is too close to your fireplace or woodstove, heater.
• Check your smoke detectors. Help your parents check to make sure your smoke detectors work and have fresh
• batteries in them.
• Fire Alarm, Get Out - If you hear a smoke or fire alarm, get out of the house If you see or smell smoke don’t wait,
• head for the gate.
• Stay Low and Go - If there is smoke or fire in your house stay low and go. Crawl quickly to the closest door or window that
• you can use to get outside. It's important that you get out fast. Yell to warn your family but don't stop for toys or pets.
• Stop Drop and Roll - If your clothes catch fire remember to stop, drop and roll.
• Emergency Meeting Place - If your house catches fire you want to make sure everyone is out. The best way to do this is for everyone to meet outside at a special place. Pick a place and make sure everyone knows the plan. If there is smoke or fire, get out and go to the meeting place. Remember, call 9-1-1 from outside the house.
• Go to Sparky's Page to learn more about fire safety.