Match and Lighter Safety
It is an adult’s responsibility to keep matches and lighters of all types out of the reach of children. Children of every age can be curious about matches and lighters.
Teach young children to tell a grown-up if they find matches or lighters around the home.
Lighters that look like toys can confuse children. Do not buy or use them.
Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.
If your child does play with a lighter or matches or shows a curiosity with fire that concerns you, PLEASE find a local youth firesetter intervention program. This free program, offered by the fire department, is designed to help caregivers and children to be safe around fire.
Effective January 1, 2008, the National Fire Incident Fire Reporting System (NFIRS) will capture information specifically about toylike lighters. Fire departments should use code 877: “Novelty Lighters” for “Equipment Involved in Ignition.”
Novelty or Toy Lighters
Novelty Toy Lighter Disallowed Picture List
Safety Interventions for Parents:
- Scrutinize the toys you purchase for children for safe operation, children should never be allowed to play with electric matches, novelty or toy looking lighters or toys that simulate dangerous adult tools such as tape measures, saws, knives or guns.
- Teach children about the safe uses of fire and of the dangers of fire as well.
- If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but with firm commitment explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only and are not to be played with.
- Store matches, electric matches, novelty matches and automatic lighters up high, out of children’s sight, and out of their reach, and preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.Never use matches or lighters as a source of amusement or play in front of children; they will imitate what you do when you are not looking.
- Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember child-resistant does not mean child proof.
- Teach small children to tell a parent, teacher or trusted adult if they find matches or lighters on the ground, in the weeds, in a sand-pile or on the playground.
- School aged children are not to pick up dangerous items, but they are to tell a parent, teacher or trusted adult if they find any dangerous materials on the ground or in a play yard; matches, lighters, cigarettes, needles, guns or broken glass are of grave concern when found.
- If you suspect your child is intentionally setting fires or unduly fascinated with fire, get help. Your local fire department, school, or community-counseling agency can put you in touch with trained experts who can help.