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Arson Awareness Week : May 1st-7th, 2009
NATIONAL ARSON FACTS
JUVENILES AND ARSON One of the major concerns about arson is the involvement of juveniles in setting fires. Children often set fires because they are curious, mischievous, or just want attention. Children are also being implicated in a growing number of gang-related arson fires. Estimates are that over half of those arrested in the nation for setting arson fires are juveniles. In Wisconsin, juveniles account for two-thirds of those arrested for arson. If you suspect a child of setting fires, notify the proper authorities so the child can receive counseling and help before it is too late.
PREVENTING ARSON The key to preventing and solving arson fires is community involvement. Citizens are encouraged to join watch groups and report suspicious activity. If you believe a fire was purposely set, report it to your local police department or to the Wisconsin Arson Hotline. The Wisconsin Arson Hotline is a toll-free telephone number through which callers can report suspected arson anonymously. Callers may be eligible for rewards up to $5000. Citizens can also help protect themselves and their property by taking a few simple steps. Keep trash containers, boxes and other combustibles away from buildings. Securely lock all doors and windows, and keep matches and lighters away from children. We know that ancient people used fire to destroy enemies' crops and houses, so fire as a weapon has been around as long as recorded history. And judging by our nation's arson statistics, it's still a major weapon. It's bad enough that we pay for arson through higher insurance premiums and taxes due to lost real estate. We need to be aware of the problem and make sure that we take steps to keep ourselves from paying for it with our homes, our businesses, and possibly our lives. WISCONSIN ARSON HOTLINE The Wisconsin Arson Hotline is a state-wide toll-free number through which callers can report suspected arson fires and callers may remain anonymous. The Hotline is sponsored by the Wisconsin Insurance Plan and the Wisconsin Arson Insurance Council. Callers are eligible for rewards of up to $5000. If you have information about arson fires, please call the Wisconsin Arson Hotline at 1-800-362-3005.
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Arson Awareness Week for 2008 will be recognized during the week of
May 4-10, 2008. The purpose of Arson Awareness Week is to bring
attention to the affects of arson on the lives of all citizens.
Arson fires cause millions of dollars in damages each year. Arson
fires put citizens' lives at risk as well as the safety and lives of
public servants such as police and firefighters. Aside from these
issues, arson affects communities in many other ways. Buildings
that once housed thriving businesses are gutted, forcing workers out of
their jobs. Flourishing neighborhoods are pockmarked with the
shells of burned out homes becoming havens for drug dealers and other
criminals. The indirect costs of arson impact all citizens in a
variety of ways including increased insurance rates, lost tax revenues
due to the destruction of properties, and increased governmental
spending for police and firefighters.
Another major concern involving juveniles and fires are the novelty
lighters that are available on the market today. They have been
responsible for injuries, deaths, and accidents across the Nation. Many
of these lighters look like animals, miniature cars, mobile phones,
cameras, fishing lures, stacks of coins, markers, and doll accessories.
One lighter is nearly identical to the popular rubber ducky bath toy--it
even quacks! There are also novelty lighters that look like tools such
as tape measures, drills, hammers, and paint brushes. Ironically, there
are even lighters that mimic a Dalmatian donning a fire helmet, a red
fire truck, or fire extinguishers. Children are attracted to
novelty lighters because they look like toys, and the dangers of that
are obvious.
