Description
With this “Don’t Play with Fire” information card, you can educate your community’s youth on the terrible consequences that can come from setting fires. Written in straightforward language with vivid graphics, the handout makes it easy for young people to understand and retain this vital information. Children cause nearly 80,000 structure fires every year and many times, the victims of these fires are the children themselves.
Kids will learn that arson is a major crime. One that is frequently met with jail time and thousands of dollars in fines. In fact, almost half of all deliberately set fires are started by youths under the age of 18. And while children mistakenly believe that they can control the fires they set, a single match can set an entire room on fire in just two minutes and an entire house in five minutes.
The next section of the card addresses the legal ramifications of fire setting. Penalties are strict and some juveniles may be tried as adults. The fires setters who don’t go to jail will face other consequences. Like having a permanent criminal record or being sent to a detention center. They might also face mandatory educational, psychological, or therapy programs.
The card also introduces Gordon Pranger, who began playing with fire at a young age. At 14 years old he was severely burned while playing with matches and gasoline. Children learn that deliberate fire setting can cost lives, jobs, properties and more.
If You Play with Fire … You Will Get Burned!
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