Did you know that over 50% of all residential fires are caused by children under the age of 18 years.

The Union County Juvenile Fire Setters Intervention Program can help you.  This FREE community resource offers fire safety education and community referrals to all residents.  Your community resource is a joint coalition consisting of all Union County Fire Departments.  Please stop by the Marysville Fire Department at 209 South Main Street, Marysville or call (937) 642-2065 for information and/or referrals.

This program is sponsored by the following fire departments:  Allen TWP, Leesburg TWP, Jerome TWP, Union TWP, North Union Joint Fire District, Pleasant Valley Joint Fire District, Liberty TWP, and the Marysville Division of Fire.

OUR PROGRAM

The Union County Intervention Program has been established to help reduce the number of fires started by juveniles within our community.  Our educators are trained to provide short term intervention that is designed to educate parents and children about fire safety and the consequences of fire.  Our services identify 'at risk' juveniles ranging from 2-17 years old.  Our program is also designed to assess the juvenile's need for outside counseling or other referrals.

FACTS

• Fires and burns are the leading cases of injury and death to children.

• Over 1/2 of all arson fires in the United States are committed by juveniles.

• The median age of when a child begins to play with fire is 5 years old.

• Even toddlers can start a fire with a match or lighter.

TYPES of FIRESETTERS

The Curious Firesetter:  This child is curious about fire and plays with it in order to learn about it.  The curious child needs fire prevention education and supervision to channel his/her interests to safer activities.

The Crisis Firesetter:  This child sends a "cry for help" with his/her firesetting because they are unable to cope with some trauma or stress.  The crisis firesetter needs supportive fire prevention education and counseling to help him/her learn safer ways to cope with problems.

The Delinquent Firesetter:  The delinquent firesetter is responding to peer pressure and acting without thinking about the consequences of his/her actions.  He/she needs to take responsibility for his/her actions with fire prevention education and community service that is court mandated.

The Pathological Firesetter:  This emotionally disturbed child uses the power of fire to compensate for feelings of helplessness.  This child needs intensive treatment in a secure hospital or residential program.

REFERRALS

If you know of a child in need of assistance or would like more information about juvenile fire setting, please call (937) 642-2065 or stop by the Marysville Division of Fire at 209 S. Main Street, Marysville.

Practice Fire Safety in Your Home...

1. Supervise young children closely.  Do not leave them alone even for short periods of time.

2. Keep matches and lighters in a locked drawer or cabinet.

3. Have your children tell you when they find matches or lighters.

4. Check under beds and in closets for burned matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire.

5. Develop a home fire escape plan, practice it with your children, and designate a meeting place outside.

6. Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.

7. Teach children the nature of fire.  It is FAST, HOT, DARK, and DEADLY.

8. Teach children not to hide from firefighters.

9. Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke.

10. Teach children that once they are out of the house not to go back in.

11. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home.

12. Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke detector.

13. Test the smoke alarm each month and replace the battery at least once a year.