PRESS RELEASE

To: NEWSROOM

For Immediate Release

Contact: Randy Stephens, Assistant Chief of Prevention

May 2, 2005 - National Arson Awareness Week Kicks Off With Tips

Shreveport Fire sticks with last year’s theme due to continued problem with juveniles setting fires . . .

The U.S Fire Administration and the International Association of Arson Investigators have designated May 1-7 as National Arson Awareness Week. The national theme is “School Arson- A Burning Subject” although the Shreveport Fire Department’s is sticking with last year’s theme of “Juvenile Fire-setting: The Preventable Arson,” because of continued problems with children setting fires in our area.

Statistics for Shreveport show that in 2004, 50 fires were directly attributed to juvenile firesetters. The total loss for 2004 juvenile fires in Shreveport was estimated at $255,800.00. The USFA National Fire Data Center estimated 165 civilian death, 1900 civilian injuries and 272 million in direct property damage can be directly related to fires set by juveniles in 2003. The Shreveport Fire Department recommends the following safety tips to reduce the likelihood of juvenile fire-setting:

• Store matches and lighters out of sight

• Teach children that fire and fire tools are for adult use only

• Supervise children

• Never use matches or lighters as a source of entertainment for children; they may imitate your actions.

• Keep leaves, firewood, overgrown bushes and shrubbery and other combustibles away from buildings. Don’t make it easy for a youthful fire-setter or juvenile arsonist to start a fire.