Protecting structures from arson

ARSON FACTS

Arson is the leading cause of property loss due to fire. Over a half
million arson fires, including 100,000 building fires, cost our nation
more than \$2 billion annually and kill over 700 people. It costs our
communities so much more! One-fourth of all fires are arson and over
one-half of them are set by juveniles.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

National Arson Prevention Initiative

protecting structures

ILLUMINATE EXTERIOR AND ENTRANCES.

Install lights covering all sides of the building including the parking
lots. Motion activated lighting, which is very inexpensive, should be
placed near the entrances. Don\'t advertise that the building is empty.
Interior lights on timers give the illusion that the building is
occupied.

PAINT BUILDINGS A LIGHT COLOR.

Arsonists work mostly at night. Buildings with a dark exterior provide
many hiding places for arsonists.

INSTALL BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS THAT TRANSMIT A MESSAGE.

Alarm devices can be inexpensively wired through the telephone circuits
to transmit an alarm to the police or fire department. Check the cost of
contracting with a security firm for response to alarms.

HAVE YOUR HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS CHECKED SEMI-ANNUALLY.

Ensure that your electrical service is adequate for current demands.

TRIM, OR REMOVE SHRUBBERY AND SIGNS THAT OBSTRUCT THE VIEW OF THE
BUILDING FROM THE STREET.

Make sure that nothing blocks the view of the building. During the
growing season, bushes and trees may need to be trimmed frequently.

KEEP DOORS LOCKED AND BOLTED WITH HINGE-PINS ON THE INSIDE.

Most buildings have too many keyed doors. Reduce the number of keyed
doors and keep a record of who has a key. If you don\'t know who has a
key to your building, change the locks. If a key is lost, change the
locks. It is generally not necessary to have more than one or two doors
with key locks. All other doors should be equipped with dead bolts or,
in assembly areas, panic hardware that will permit exiting when doors
are locked.

KEEP WINDOWS LOCKED, BARRED OR PROTECTED WITH WIRE SCREENS.

The hardware used to lock windows can sometimes be easily forced with a
credit card or other tool. The best type of window hardware has
spring-loaded bolts that insert through the window frame into the wall
frame. If bars are used on windows in congregation areas, make certain
they can be released from the inside, in the event the window is needed
as an emergency escape.

RESTRICT ACCESS TO THE ROOF AND UPPER FLOORS.

Nothing is gained by protecting windows and doors at ground level if
trespassers have easy access to upper floors. Install fire escapes or
stairs that cannot be accessed at ground level. If an exterior stairway
exists, close the property with a fence and locked gate.

CONSIDER FENCING THE PROPERTY.

Churches and public buildings generally provide an open welcoming
façade, but it is not necessary that the back and sides also provide
easy access. Privacy fences with locked gates are a better choice.

DESIGNATE A LIAISON TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE POLICE AND FIRE
SERVICES.

Initiate a fire reporting procedure. Post names and telephone numbers of
contact persons on or near the door for use by the fire or police
departments in the event of a break-in or fire. Involve the police and
fire departments and your insurance agent in your arson prevention
activities. Call your local police and fire departments to request a
fire prevention and security evaluation. This may result in a reduction
of your insurance premiums.

BE WARY OF STRANGERS.

Ask strangers to identify themselves\--the innocent will not mind.
Register guests and remove the registry from the building each night.
Check the credentials of service personnel asking permission to enter.
If in doubt, call their company to verify their identity. After many
arson fires, neighbors remember that they were suspicious of a person or
car but did not know what to do, or whom to call. Educate residents and
neighbors regarding suspicious activity and what to do if they have
concerns. Encourage them to make a record of the suspicious activity
including: the date and time; a description of vehicles, license
numbers, and persons; and immediately call the local police.

ESTABLISH A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM.

The probability of arson increases during exciting holidays or
celebrations as Halloween, 4th of July, New Year\'s Eve, and major
athletic events, as well as during periods of social unrest. During
these events, there is a need for heightened awareness and surveillance.
A rotating schedule of volunteer members to either stand watch, or
provide irregularly scheduled patrols can be very effective.

CLEAN HOUSE.

The boiler room or heating room of many public buildings is a storehouse
of unused and unneeded paper, trash, cleaning supplies, partial cans of
paint and other materials that make a bonfire of the structure when
arranged by the arsonist. Store all flammables, paint, gasoline, mowers,
etc. outside in a locked storage building.

MAKE A MEDIA EVENT OF YOUR EFFORTS.

Arsonists seldom strike facilities that are ready for them.

arson prevention clearinghouse

To request additional information or publications call the National
Arson Prevention Clearinghouse toll-free 1-888-603-3100.

To report an arson fire call your local fire and police departments.

To provide information or to request an investigation of a suspected
arson fire, call the Department of the Treasury\'s Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms 1-888-ATF-FIRE.

PUT OUR INFORMATION TO WORK FOR YOU

I am interested in receiving the following kinds of arson prevention
publications. Please send the following information.

-   General arson prevention

-   Church arson prevention

-   Building community coalitions for arson prevention

-   Juvenile firesetter information

-   Fire and arson data about my community

-   Public education information on fire

-   Exemplary practices

-   Technical assistance, how to form watch teams, etc.

-   Available fire and arson grants

-   Training related to arson prevention

-   Arson investigation training

-   Upcoming arson prevention events and activities

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Federal Emergency Management Agency

National Arson Prevention Clearinghouse

16825 South Seton Avenue

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

**TARGET ARSON**