Fire Prevention > Arson Prevention Tips

• Control Access - Keep matches and lighters in a safe place, high and out
  of reach of young children, who can climb to reach things. Lock them up if
  necessary.
• Adult Modeling - Set a good example. Most kids learn how to use fire by
  watching the adults around them (most often parents). If adults don’t
  respect fire, their children won't. Emphasize to your children that fire is a
  tool that is just as dangerous as power tools or guns.
• Parental Awareness - Take notice of your children and their surroundings.
  If they are in possession of matches or lighters, or if you find signs of
  extinguished fires (burned matches, burnt paper, burns on carpet), talk
  with them.
• Talk to kids about the cruel realities of fires and the law. Fire can destroy property, injure others, or take lives. Besides the irreversible human toll, an intentionally set fire could lead to the felony charge of Arson, a very serious crime that generally leads to time in prison. Children age 10 and above can be charged for breaking the law in Texas. Parents of children under the age of 17 may be liable for paying for damages caused by a fire started by their child.
• Intervention - Don't ignore obvious warning signals. When kids use fire in
  unsupervised or inappropriate ways, serious problems can occur.
  Whether for education or an in-depth evaluation, seek the appropriate help
  before a large, destructive fire occurs.
• Find Help - Your local fire department is often the best point of first contact
  when you need help with a child who is misusing fire or fire tools. Dozens
  of Texas communities have established Juvenile Firesetter Intervention
  Programs (JFIPs) with the help of the State Fire Marshal’s Office, which
  provides information, material and technical assistance to new and
  existing local programs.

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