Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Paediatrics
Juvenile arson: questions and answers, causes and comments
Abstract
Arson is the act of deliberately setting fire to property of any kind. Child firesetters are not necessarily arsonists: they may be too young to comprehend the implications of their actions or may start a fire unintentionally. What else do we know about children who light fires and how can we help them and their families?
Key Points
- Firelighting, as opposed to curiosity about fires, should be taken seriously.
- All parents should be encouraged to make their homes fire safe by installing Standards Australia-approved smoke detectors and not leaving matches and lighters where young children may find them.
- All parents should be encouraged to teach young children that ‘matches are tools not toys’ and older children to be fire safe and fire competent.
- Educational programs run by trained firefighters for children and families can be an effective means of reducing the frequency and severity of firelighting.
- Lighting fires, more common in boys than girls, is often a symptom of other behavioural or emotional difficulties and referral to mental health services may be appropriate.
Purchase the PDF version of this article
Already a subscriber? Login here.