Playing With Fire: A Development Assessment of Children's Fire Understanding and Experience

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Abstract
Investigated children's involvement with fire, focusing upon developmental changes in and correlates of fire play. Fire and burns are a frequent cause of injury and death among children and adolescents. Seven hundred seventy 6- to 14-year-olds children completed a survey assessing their attitudes toward and experiences with fire. Variables assessed included exposure to fire at home, assigned responsibilities for fire activities, understanding and sense of control over fire, access to ignition materials, and expected response from parents should they get caught with matches or lighters. Results suggested that fire play was relatively frequent, increased linearly with age, and was most common in junior high children. Controlling for child age, fire play was positively associated with a sense of control over fire, access to ignition materials, exposure to and responsibilities for fire activities, and expectations that parents would not respond in any manner should they find the child with matches or a lighter. Implications of the results for prevention are discussed.

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