Why is it important that you help us?
The U.S. Fire Administration Topical Fire Research Series, Volume 4 - Issue 8 findings state that: "it is an unfortunate fact that young children face an elevated risk of injury or death in a fire. Very young children are typically dependent to some degree on others for their safety. Those older are more mobile, but may not have sufficient abilities to protect themselves. Although many factors influence the risk children face, more often than not age - and more specifically immaturity - dominates." The report discusses that while fire deaths have decreased in current years since 1994 with the introduction of the child-resistant lighter standard, the fire death record in the Unites States remains among the highest in the industrialized world. Children aged 14 and under account for up to 20% of fire deaths with the youngest children, children under 5, accounting for over 50%. For children in 2001, deaths from fire and burns were the second
leading cause of non-transportation accidental deaths.

The National Fire Protection Association 2005 report on "Characteristics of Home Fire Victims" finds that "children under age 5 are nearly twice as likely to die in home fires as the average person." The National SafeKids Campaign found that children playing with matches and lighters are the leading cause of fire deaths for children ages 5 and under. The U.S. Fire Administration's report on "Child Fire Casualties" states that children playing fires are the leading cause of child fire casualties. The younger the child, the more likely child play was involved in the start of the fire. They estimate that children set over 35,000 fires annually with 8,000 of those set in homes. And, all too often, child firesetters are not given proper guidance by parents and teacher thus they repeat their firesetting behavior.

The National Fire Protection Association report on "Fire Loss in the United States During 2005" found that fire deaths account for 82% of all civilian deaths and that "fire safety initiatives targeted at the home remain the key to any reductions in the overall fire death toll." They cite five major strategies to reduce the death toll: "First, more widespread public fire safety education is needed on how to prevent fires and how to avoid serious injury or death if fire occurs. Information on the common causes of fatal home fires should continue to be used in the design of fire safety education messages. Second, more people must use and maintain smoke detectors [with working batteries] and develop and practice escape plans. Fifth, the special fire safety needs of high-risk groups, e.g., the young, older adults, and the poor need to be addressed."

With this in mind, the Denver Firefighters Museum is reaching out to children with a clear program of fire safety education in the schools and at the museum with family groups. Please help us keep our community safe!