Surprisingly, children are the cause of half of all arson fires in this country. More than 300 people die in residential fires each year as a result of children playing with fire. Child fire play is the leading cause of death in residential fires for preschool children. 6.5 percent of those arrested for arson are children under the age of 10 years old. Smoke detectors are not present in 84 percent of the homes where preschool fire fatalities occur.
Curiosity is the most common reason children play with fire.
49 percent of all those arrested for arson are juveniles. 38 percent of all children in grades 1-8 have played with matches or lighters. Deter through education. Keep matches and lighters out of reach, and teach children the proper uses of fire, the dangers of fire, and that if they find matches or lighters, they should immediately take them to an adult. Deter through early identification and intervention.