Arson awareness week kicks off today and this year’s theme is preventing youth fire setting.
Every year, fires caused by delinquent acts affect the lives of thousands and cause more than 1 billion dollars in property loss across the county. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 300 deaths and another 3000 injuries are linked to fires set by children each year.
Fire fighters say the best way to protect your home is education.
“Most kids don’t realize how dangerous fire is. They see the flick of a match or the stove burning and they don’t realize that this small little flame. They don’t know how it can kill your family and destroy their house,” Captain Curt Frerichs says.
The East Moline Fire Department offers a program on education and prevention for children that have issues with setting fires.