Kids and Matches....a Dangerous Combination!

  Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program

Finding your child playing with matches or lighters?  Have you tried everything you know to stop this behavior, but nothing seems to work?  Don't know what to do....afraid of what might happen if this fireplay activity continues?  Curiosity about fire can be a natural, but dangerous thing.  If fireplay activity seems to be a common occurrence with your child....that is not normal, and help is needed to find out why this is happening.  Fireplay activity can be deadly....don't be afraid to ask for help.

The San Luis Obispo City Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau offers a Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program that may be able to help curb this undesirable activity.  They are not counselors, but are trained to provide the proper course of action needed to curb the situation.  Their evaluation can possibly determine whether the child is just in need of additional important fire safety education or if the child is in need of professional counseling.

Not only can they help to prevent needless injury, loss of property, or death because of fireplay activity....they may also prevent a child from being pulled into the justice system because no one cared to do anything to stop his/her fireplay behavior.

To obtain help, or more information, call the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department at 805-781-7380 or your local fire department.

Teachers....

If you know of a student that has a fireplay problem, please call your local fire department to see if they have a Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program or notify the parents or guardians of the child.