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 juvenile firesetter intervention program. This free program, offered by the fire department, is designed to help caregivers and children to be safe around fire.
We do not know the extent of fires due to novelty / toylike lighters in Utah because we have not tracked this information until this year. 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.”
May 4 – 10, 2008 was Arson Awareness Week, and the theme was Toylike Lighters – Playing With Fire