Arson destroys more than homes; it can devastate a neighborhood resulting in decline through increased insurance premiums and a decrease in property values.
Did you know:
According to the US Fire Association and National Fire Protection Association, the fatality rate for intentionally set residential fires is more than twice that of other residential building fires.
The Fire Marshal’s office aims to help communities reduce the occurrence of arson and reduce its devastating effect by making residents aware of measures to safeguard their homes.
Tips to safeguard your home
- Illuminate exterior and entrances
- Install lights on all sides of the house.
- Place motion-activated lighting near the entrances.Put timers on interior lights to give the illusion the home is occupied.
- Clear obstructions
- Trim or remove shrubbery that blocks the view of the house from the street.
- Trim bushes and trees during the growing season.
- Install security and fire alarm systems
- Consider installing security and fire alarm devices that can transmit an alarm to the police or fire department when the home alarm sounds.
- Keep doors and windows locked
- Install deadbolts on all external doors.
- Install window hardware with spring-loaded bolts that inserts through the window frame into the wall frame.
- Clean house
- Remove excess vegetation and piles of leaves.
- Clean around your house and garage, removing unused and unneeded paper, trash, cleaning supplies, partial cans of paint and other materials that could become kindling and fuel a fire for an arsonist.
This year during Arson Awareness Week, the US Fire Administration is focusing on understanding and mitigating youth firesetting issues.
Youth firesetting is a problem throughout the United States and around the world. Fire misuse behaviors in children may be attributed to issues such as curiosity or experimentation, underlying struggles with impulse control, emotional regulation, social/interpersonal skills, childhood trauma or other behavioral health conditions. Children observe adults using matches and lighters but may not be taught about important fire safety practices. They may also observe unsafe uses of fire in media, videos and gaming.
You can register for a free webinar on May 8 at 2 p.m. (EDT) to learn about current best practices and tips to prevent and mitigate youth firesetting in communities across the country.
You can find more information at https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/arson/prevent-youth-firesetting/.
