Over the weekend, first responders say a child sparked a fire that destroyed a playground, and now fire officials are reminding the community that prevention skills start with teaching kids.
Both Reno and Truckee Meadows Fire said involving kids in prevention that adults already do is a great example to set, and opens the door to more questions. Even something as simple as safely lighting a barbecue can be a teachable moment.
“Know that this is a tool versus a toy,” said Jenny Williamson, a Fire Marshal with TMFR. “Explaining to their kids that, you know, fire is a tool. We use it as a tool to heat our food, to warm our homes, things like that. And it's not a toy to be played with.”
If a child does stumble upon a lighter left out or find a matchbook in a place it doesn't belong, they need to know what the next step to take is.
“It's normal to be curious about playing with fire. However, there are a lot of dangers in that,” said Abigail Peterson, a Fire Inspector for the City of Reno. “So, if you're out on the playground and you see matches, it's always important that you take them to a trusted adult. You will not get in trouble for finding matches on the playground as long as you return them safely, right?”
Parents with kids who show a lot of fire curiosity are encouraged to look into the Youth Fire program offered by the City of Reno for all northern Nevada kids.
The family will be assessed, and depending on the score of the assessment, it may be determined that they need to go through a fire safety academy.
More information on fire prevention and the youth fire program can be found here: Fire Prevention | City of Reno.
