Fire Safety Article
Be Fire Smart: Keep Matches and Lighters Away from Children
Montana State Fire Marshal Allen Lorenz says many deadly fires each year are the direct result of children playing with matches and lighters.
"Children do not understand the dangers of fire and are fascinated by its movement and color," he said.
The United States has one of the highest fire-related death rates in the world, and fire is the second leading cause of accidental death in the home. More than 4,000 people die each year in home fires and 500,000 residential fires occur each year exceeding $4 billion in property loss.
"And each year, more than 200 fire deaths are associated with fires started by cigarette lighters," Lorenz said. "About two-thirds of these are the result of children playing with lighters."
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that about 150 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries each year the result of children under the age of 5 playing with lighters. While youngsters as young as 2 can operate a lighter, the majority of the children who start fires by playing with lighters are ages 3 and 4.
"At these ages, children are curious about fire and do not understand the inherent dangers," Lorenz said, "and many times, when a child starts a fire, he or she does not tell anyone."
Since 1994, the CPSC has set a mandatory safety standard that requires disposable lighters to be child-resistant. The standard covers 95 percent of the 600 million lighters purchased in the United States each year.
Lorenz said parents can take steps to keep their children safe.
- Purchase and use child-resistant lighters only. Remember that these are child-resistant, not childproof.
- Always keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
- Never use a lighter as a source of amusement for children. It may cause children to think of lighters and matches as toys. Teach children to tell an adult if they find matches or lighters.
"Our office, in partnership with the National Association of State Fire Marshals, wants to help prevent tragedies caused by children playing with fire," Lorenz said. "Parents who are smart about matches and lighters around the house can help us achieve this critical goal."