Children shouldn't play with matches

SAN DIEGO – Many children have a fascination with fire. Fire is colorful, unpredictable, and forbidden. Each year wildlands and canyons burn, areas where children sometimes play unsupervised. Many fires are also started in the home.

Cal Fire advises that children should be taught a healthy respect for flame and fire. Millions of dollars in property is lost every year due to these fires, and many children and adults are needlessly injured or killed. Children must be educated in fire safe behavior; matches and lighters are tools not toys....