Great Message

The following post (and few more to come) are published by the MN State Fire Marshal Office and more specifically, fellow fire fighter, LT 7 and now Deputy Fire Marshal Public Educator...Becki W.

Becki publishes a newsletters with some great content.

Children Playing with Fire

NFPA just rereleased their latest study on Children Playing with Fire. The report summary stated that in 2006, an estimated 14,500 child-playing structure fires were reported to U.S. municipal fire departments, with associated losses of 130 civilian deaths, 810 civilian injuries, and $328 million in direct damage. Fifty-eight percent of these structure fires took place in the home. Most child-playing home fires begin with lighters or matches. The items ignited by home fire-play are principally mattresses, bedding, or clothing followed by magazines, newspaper, or writing paper, and upholstered furniture or vehicle seats. Nineteen percent of people who start reported fires by playing are four year olds. Nearly two thirds (63%) of all fatal victims of fires by play are children five years old and younger. There is a fact sheet available at nfpa.org.
Source: Children Playing with Fire, by Jennifer Flynn, NFPA, Quincy, MA, January 2009

A downloadable factsheet is available at: www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/ChildrenFactSheet.pdf