As a parent or carer it’s understandable to worry about children’s safety particularly regarding fire, which is one of the most common causes of accidental injury and death among children. However, there are things you can do to help ensure they stay safe. One of the main causes of fire is matches and lighters. Fire statistics show that over 13,000 fires in 2008 were started by children under the age of 18, more than half of which were caused by matches, lighters or lighted candles. Almost half of these are started by children playing with matches, lighters and candles.
Children as young as two are capable of operating lighters and a surprising proportion of the children who start fires by playing with lighters are aged just three and four. At this age, children are curious about fire but don’t understand the danger.
Children tend to copy their parents or older brothers or sisters. If children see their parents using a lighter or striking matches, they may well try and copy if they find them lying around. A number of fires have also been started by children using a cooker taper as they have seen their parents do this. It has not been unheard of for some parents to give their children lighters to play with or even give to babies and toddlers to chew on as teethers! This only teaches the child they are acceptable to play with.
Therefore it is important that parents and carers follow our advice!
