Citation

Hanson M, Mackay S, Atkinson L, Staley S, Pignatiello A. Can. J. Psychiatry 1995; 40(6): 299-303.

Affiliation

Family Court Clinic, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Canadian Psychiatric Association, Publisher SAGE Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7585398

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe a methodology of assessing preschoolers involved in firesetting incidents, and outline the psychiatric implications of firesetting incidents in young children. METHOD: To outline The Arson Prevention Program for Children and present case vignettes. RESULTS: The heightened risk of burn injury or fatality in fires caused by young children is highlighted and practical suggestions for facilitating the immediate safety of the child and family are presented. CONCLUSION: Despite the popular notion that fire interest and play is relatively benign in young children, the cases show that, as with older children, firesetting in preschoolers can be associated with serious child and/or family psychopathology.