Juvenile Firesetters

Firesetting is a serious, destructive, life-threatening problem. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that every year, children start 100,000 fires that result in billions of dollars worth of property damage, injury, and death. During the last decade, juveniles accounted for an estimated 40% of all intentionally set fire arrests.

Curiosity about fire is a normal part of a child's development, and fireplay, in and of itself, is not necessarily indicative of abnormal behavior. The majority of children who play with fire out of curiosity simply outgrow the behavior. However, when children who play with fire experience stress as a result of emotional trauma or an ongoing crisis in their lives, they are more likely to continue setting fires.

Fireplay and firesetting are two terms that denote completely ...