Ask Dr. Cole

As an educator and scientist, I continually challenge the basic concepts we teach in fire safety. Are they still relevant; is there newer data to take into account, and do they really work?
 

One of the most common principles we teach is that putting away matches and lighters prevents fires. During my travels over the past couple of years, I have informally surveyed fire safety educators asking if they felt storing matches and lighters was a deterrent to children starting fires.

Overwhelmingly, they still concur there is a linkage. Putting away lighters and matches removes opportunities for children to start fires. Research data from a school survey I conducted at the University of Rochester with the Rochester city school district and subsequently replicated state wide in Oregon and in British Columbia supports that conclusion as well. Most child-related fires are unintentional. The majority of children involved in starting fires do not intend any harm. If they see matches or lighters out on a table, they are likely to pick them up and play with them. Putting them away makes a difference. Most children will not seek out properly stored matches and lighters, but may well pick up and play with those they find lying around.

It is very common for adults to collect matchbooks from local restaurants or when they travel. When they get home, the matchbooks are thrown in a drawer. I recommend that parents stop collecting matchbooks and buy a child-resistant lighter and always store it in a place that is out of reach to children. Eliminating extra sources of ignition goes a long way to prevent the curious child from getting into trouble.

I urge you to continue to stress this basic fire-safety tenet with adults and children. People have to understand that this is a very simple fire-safety rule that works and can save lives.

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