TAPP-C

The Facts About Fire-Play
If your child is involved in fire-play or fire setting, you are not alone. Many children have a
fascination with fire. It is important to understand that while curiosity about fire is natural, fire-play
can be dangerous. In fact, fire is a leading cause of death among children in the home.
Unfortunately, many youngsters start the vary fire that injure or kills themselves or others.

What Is Fire-Play?
Fire-play can be many things:
*Playing with matches or lighters
*Playing with the toaster, stove or furnace
*Burning items such as toys, paper or garbage
*Setting a fire to destroy something or hurt someone

Things To Watch For:
If you notice any of the following, your chills may be involved in fire-play:
*Matches or lighters go missing
*Matches or lighters are found among your child's belongings
*There are burn marks on household items or your child's clothing or possessions
*Your child is extremely interested in fire

Help Is Available
Firesetting presents an enormous risk to children, their families and the community. Fire
involvement can be a sign of other problems in a child's life. It can start at any age. Fire-play can
start out small and lead to larger and more serious fires that threaten the safety of the child and the
family. It's important that you deal with any fire involvement immediately.
That's where TAPP-C comes in.

The TAPP-C Program
TAPP-C is a program that brings together fire services and counseling professionals to help
families deal effectively with children and teens involved with fore-play. The fire service
professionals educate children and their families about fire and how to develop good fire safety
practices. Counseling professionals assess the risk of continued fire involvement and help
children and their families deal with problems that may contribute to firesetting. TAPP-C is free of
charge and is available to children from ages 2 to 17 years of age.

Keep Your Child Safe From Fire
You can help protect your child and family from fire by following these fire safety tips:
*Make sure that young children are supervised at all times
*Keep matches and lighters locked away where children can not get them
*Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. Test them regularly.
*Develop and practice a home fire escape plan.