National Arson Awareness Week, May 4-10 "Toylike Lighters: Playing with Fire"
National Arson Awareness Week is May 4 -10, 2008, and this year's theme is "Toylike Lighters: Playing with Fire". The Houston Fire Department and Harris County Fire Marshal Office will hold a joint press conference, Monday, May 5, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the Houston Fire Museum, 2403 Milam, encouraging parents and guardians to be aware of these "toylike" lighters and all lighters and matches should be kept out of reach of children.
In response to Houston 's excess of 300 fires a year started by juveniles, the Houston Fire Department offers intervention programs to ensure that the fire setting behavior will cease.
The FireStoppers' goal is to provide the proper education and any other needed intervention for each child that has played with or has set fires to stop the firesetting before it leads to further injury, death, homeless families or problems with the law. Firestoppers tries to turn the event of firesetting into a positive opportunity for education and assistance. Participation in FireStoppers does not create a criminal record on the child.
Concerned parents, teachers, members of social services and the Houston Fire Department all refer youths to try to cease their firesetting behavior. This free program is for children 2 to 17 years of age.
Parents concerned that they may be judged as poor parents or seen as over-reacting, do not need to worry because the purpose of the program is to provide education for the child and family's safety.
Call (713)495-7927 or email elizabeth.ferrer@cityofhouston.net for more information or to refer a child.
A free fire safety night will be held at the Children's Museum of Houston , 1500 Binz, May 8 , 2008, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The HFD and Harris County Fire Marshal Office FireStopper's Programs will be on hand to answer questions and there will be fun activities for children to learn about fire safety.
