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Juvenile Fire Safety Program

York County Youth Fire Safety and Intervention Collaborative

The mission of the York County Juvenile Fire Safety & Intervention program is to protect our communities from the dangers of child and youth fire setting through assessment, education intervention, collaboration with local public & private agencies, and referrals to community agencies as needed.


Nationally, more than half of all intentionally set fires are started by youths under the age of 18. When a child or adolescent sets a fire and receives no intervention, there is a better than 50% chance he or she will set a second fire. If, in fact, a second fire is set, the chances are better than 80% that the fire setting will continue.

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Fires set by children are common and a problem affecting many families. While curiosity about fire is natural, fire setting is dangerous and deadly.


If your child is displaying fire setting behavior, you and your family are at higher risk for suffering the consequences of a fire. Remember, you are not the only parent to face this problem.

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If you discover evidence of a fire set by your child, or your child talks about setting fires, or is curious about fire; contact your local fire department or contact us at 207-459-2463 for help.

Our Team

Contacts

Scott Gagne

Intake Coordinator

About Our Program

The York County Juvenile Fire Safety and Intervention Collaborative is a partnership between local public and private partners who are working together for the safety of York County communities.

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York County Youth Fire Safety and Intervention Collaborative is a program of the York County Emergency Management Agency.

Make a Referral

Contact your local Fire Department or the York County Juvenile Fire Safety Intervention Collaborative at: 207-459-2463.

Why Do Children and Adolescents Set Fires?

While curiosity about fire is common, fire setting is NOT! It is quite dangerous and deadly.

Most experts agree the best way to understand why children or adolescents set fires is to look at the motivations for fire setting.


Motives can include:

  • Curiosity or experimentation

  • A cry for help

  • Thrill seeking

  • Peer pressure

  • Intent to cause destruction

  • Behavioral and emotional disorders


Easy access to matches and lighters

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Children and teens know where to find lighters and matches in the home- even if you think you have them safety stored.

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Failure to practice fire safety in the home

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Young children, teens and adults often lack the understanding of the dangers associated with fire setting and safety rules around fire.

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Easy access to information on the internet

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Technology has made explicit media available to youths about a number of dangerous and often illegal activities for them to try and replicate.


Lack of Supervision

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Consistent supervision by adults decreases the opportunity to set fires.

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Fire Safety Tips

  1. Regularly inspect your home for fire hazards

  2. Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

  3. Develop and practice a home fire escape plan

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Keep matches and lighters out of sight and out of reach including child-resistant lighters. A child-resistant lighter is not childproof, not even for a two-year-old.


Teach children of all ages that fire, even small ones, can spread quickly.


Set a good example for your children; children learn by watching and imitating adults. What you DO is more important than what you TELL a child.

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Teach older children the proper techniques for using fire with supervision.


Talk to your children and adolescents about the legal consequences of firesetting. 


Find out more about the laws in Maine by going to the State Fire Marshal's Website: 

www.maine.gov/dps/fmo/laws/

Links to Other Resources

www.sparky.org

National Fire Protection Agency site for kids – games, apps, activities


www.ready.gov/kids

Site for games for kids on disasters – home fire safety and wildfires are included


www.nfpa.org

National Fire Safety Prevention


www.firewise.org

Site on saving lives and property from wildfires


www.smokeybear.com

Site for kids from Smokey the Bear – games, activities, and fun


www.safekids.org/fire

Home fires can start and spread quickly, which is why we all need to be careful and educated when it comes to fire safety. Just a little bit of planning can make a big difference for your family


https://sparkyschoolhouse.org

An interactive website designed to engage children in fire safety activities

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