Fire is a tool, not a toy.
That’s a fact local firefighters would like to impress on children, with some help from their parents.
A recent house fire started with children burning paper in a bedroom. Shortly before that, four boys escaped serious injury when they used gasoline to start a campfire.
Fire Marshal Tom Andrews was talking with the boys and their mothers when firefighters returned from the house fire.
“Earlier, the boys had made a campfire in the woods and used gasoline,” Andrews said, “and I think what saved them was it was a windy day, or I think that one or more of them would have been burned.”
What they, and many others, did not know is that it’s the gas fumes, not the liquid itself, that burns.
“That’s how people get burned using gasoline,” Andrews said. “I think the wind was carrying the fumes away and so the boys got lucky.”
The woods around them weren’t so lucky. Andrews said that trees were scorched 20 feet above the ground.
A less-gusty wind could have easily carried the fumes onto the boys’ clothing.
“If fumes were to go up a pant leg, those would burn, too,” he said.
Most fires started by youngsters are caused by one of two factors, according to Eric Gilger, an Emporia firefighter who has been studying youths and fire-starting.
“It’s usually two causes — either boredom or acting out, defiance,” Gilger said.
The firefighters sometimes encounter youngsters who are acting out because of reasons far more deep-seated than mere curiosity.
“That’s more of a situation where a counselor needs to be involved,” Gilger said, “where it’s something going on with the family. It’s pretty easy (to differentiate) just by looking at their home life.”
Gilger said it is difficult to talk to families in those cases. That task is left to Andrews.
“It’s hard to tell a parent that, and Tom has done really well about referring whole families into a counseling situation,” Gilger said. “(Fire-starting) is usually not the main problem” when acting out is involved.
Whether the reason for the fire is a complicated one or simple boredom, availability of materials to start fires is a common denominator.
“Access is the biggest problem for most kids, especially younger ones,” he said.
With the prevalence of candle use in homes, as well as smoking, children often have easy access to matches, electronic starters and lighters.
The men recommended that parents educate their children about the dangers of fire, in addition to keeping a close watch on where they store matches and other materials needed to start fires.
The fire department recently got a DVD that firefighters hope will be introduced to high-school students during the next school year. Parts of the DVD also are appropriate for children 9 years of age and older.
They hope that education will help teach children the hazards of fire. Parents, however, hold the key to keeping children and fire separated.
“The best way to keep that from happening is for parents to know where their kids are and what they are doing at all times,” Andrews said.
bngalbreath (anonymous) says...
My child was the youngest in the house fire at his fathers house on south market, and his father is responsible for not watching the children. Instead he was in the shower with his girlfriend.
June 25, 2007 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GazetteReader (anonymous) says...
Sounds to me like you could use a good class in parenting, Bngalbreath.
The obvious hostility you have regarding this child's father is probably obvious to your child, and certainly doesn't do anyone any good.
Maybe you should spend more time on working with your child's father in raising him to be happy and healthy and less time worrying about who the father is taking a shower with.
I'm willing to bet (although you will deny it) that your reaction in front of the kids wasn't "Oh, thank God you are all ok", but was more along the lines of berating the father for his hygiene (with lots of trash talk and obscenities).
June 25, 2007 at 5:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
You know, I was sort of thinking the same things, GazetteReader.
I was thinking a parenting class would be EXCELLENT for both parents (because it takes two to MAKE a child and MANY MORE to raise one).
First, if my son is playing with fire, well, I've guess I've failed the "safety courses" in life. Also, I would hope that I didn't leave safety to the teachers, only. It's my job as a parent to say "matches are dangerous," or whatever else the ignition came from, in this story (and any other).
And if he still plays with fire, it's up to me to seek help. Did you (general) know that there are 3 clues to a serial killer in the making?
1. Wetting the bed after age 12 (males)
2. Rage/abuse/killing of animals
3. Starting fires
So, the parents in this story have failed all the way around. (Mother & Father included).
M
June 25, 2007 at 7:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bngalbreath (anonymous) says...
1.) I havent said anything bad about my childs father in front of my three year old child...2.) I am not the mother of the child that started the fire...3.) my childs father never comes around I have to call him to see if he wants to see his child so everyone is entitled to they're own opinions but if you do not know the real story behind what went on then you really should think before you comment. Thanks.
June 27, 2007 at 10:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ahosmer (anonymous) says...
My boys were in the fire too and one of mine started the fire and I know i am not a perfect parent but they're father should have made sure the lighters were put up and he should have been watching the kids.
June 27, 2007 at 11:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ahosmer (anonymous) says...
And I have another thing to add, the three year olds mother has raised that child since day one. The father didnt even come into his life until recently and it was only because the mother pushed it on him. So no one should even say anything bad about her parenting skills.
June 27, 2007 at 11:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GazetteReader (anonymous) says...
Posted by bngalbreath (anonymous) on June 27, 2007 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“…I havent said anything bad about my childs father in front of my three year old child...”
As I posted previously, I was pretty sure you’d deny it. Maybe that’s true, maybe it’s not, but even if your child wasn’t standing right there, they have big ears and hear much more than you think. The child presumably has lived with you for three years, and I can just about guarantee he knows exactly how you feel about “dad”. Do you think that’s good for your child?
“…so everyone is entitled to they're own opinions but if you do not know the real story behind what went on then you really should think before you comment…”
You are right...I don’t know the “real” story behind what went on. All I know is that your original post sounded like an audition for the Jerry Springer show: no indication of, “Oh thank God my child is ok”….just the comment about the father taking a shower with his girlfriend.
June 29, 2007 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )