F.A.C.E the Facts

  Fire is the fourth leading cause of accidental injury and death to children ages 14 and under in our area. In 2005, 26 fires were started by kids between the ages of 1-18 resulting in 1 death, as compared to the year 2004 when 17 fires were started, resulting in six fatalities of children between the ages of 1-18.

  Mercy Children's Hospital (MCH) and the St. Vincent Regional Burn Care Center strive to address this problem every year by sponsoring a F.A.C.E. the Facts [Fire And Children Education] program for juvenile firesetters.  F.A.C.E. the Facts is part of an ongoing commitment by the Burn Care Center to prevent childhood injuries and death from fires.

  The following paragraphs represent a historical perspective of the F.A.C.E. the Facts juvenile firesetter program:

• The program began in 1991; to this date over 1,358 children have been educated through the program.
• Referrals are from fire officials and the court system. Some are self-referrals and a number of them are from community resources.
• The basic criteria for enrollment into this program is any child who participates in at least one unsupervised fire setting incident, or a stated curiosity for fire.
• Material presented at each class varies in the amount, type and level of graphical nature as determined by the ages of the participants and the fire setting incidents in which the participant was involved.  There are 3 different age groups: 4-7, 8-12, and 13-18 years old. There is one class of each age group for each month.
• Children are required to pre-register for their appropriate class at which time an extensive history about the child's fire incident is recorded. During registration, it is explained to the parent that they must also accompany their child to the class. It reinforces that parents and children need to work together to stop fire play.  Further, it is important for the siblings of the fire starter to tell the parent if fire play continues. We believe that fire prevention is a family responsibility and a community concern. 
• The classes are held in the SVMMC Conference Center and parking is free.
• Classes are a one-time session that lasts approximately 3 hours.  Included in the session are educational videos about making good choices about fire safety.
• During class, the participants are encouraged to discuss their fire incidents. Through role-playing, the children learn how to handle peer pressure and to say no to future fire play.

  The F.A.C.E. the Facts team includes: A firefighter, burn educator, burn survivor and counselors. The curriculum is meant to be a tough love program emphasizing the consequences of fire play.  The program follows the guidelines provided by FEMA and the Ohio State Fire Marshal. Besides attending class, the children are given a homework assignment to complete at home, which must be returned.  These two parts must be completed in order to receive a Certificate of Attendance for the course.

  We hope that the children that attend the fire education program will in the future choose not to play with fire. Attending a burn education program is not a guarantee that fire play will stop. However, we believe it greatly aids in addressing the problem by providing education to the child as well as a contact for support for the parent.

  Main supporters of this program: the St. Vincent Burn Education Fund and Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) of Northwest Ohio.

JUVENILE FIRESETTERS EDUCATION PROGRAM

IS YOUR CHILD A FIRESETTER?

Do you feel that your child's fascination with fire poses a threat to your safety or the safety of others? You are not alone. National statistics indicate that approximately half of all arson fires are set by juveniles, that the leading cause of fire deaths for children under 5 is "children playing with fire," and that one-sixth of all juveniles arrested for arson are under ten years of age.

FIRESETTING MYTHS

"Children playing with fire is a natural part of growing up."

  It is never okay for children to play with fire for any reason.

"If I punish him, he will stop playing with fire."

  Punishing a child may force the child into hiding in a closet or under a bed to start a fire.

"Its a phase that he will grow out of."

  It is not a phase. Seventy-five percent of children who set fires and don't receive treatment will set fires again.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

TEACH YOUR CHILD ABOUT FIRE

• Fire is a tool not a toy!
• Fire is dangerous it can kill!
• All fires, even small ones, spread quickly.
• Keep all matches and lighters out of the reach of children; even a 2-year old can operate a cigarette lighter.
• Never leave stoves or burning candles unattended.
• Teach children to bring to your attention any matches or lighters they find.

• Install and maintain smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
• Plan and practice fire escape drills in your home.
• Regularly inspect your home for fire hazards.

THINK YOU KNOW A FIRESTARTER?

If you feel you or your child needs to learn more about the dangers of playing with fire, call the F.A.C.E. the Facts hotline below.

Call: 419-251-2142

EDUCATION CAN SAVE LIVES!