The State of Maine has a network of youth fire safety collaboratives and other resources to help parents and their children. Most experts agree that the best way to understand why children and adolescents set fires is to look at the motivations for setting them.

These include curiosity or experimentation, a cry for help, thrill seeking, peer pressure, an intent to cause destruction, or mental and emotional disorders. While curiosity about fire is common, firesetting is not.

If you discover evidence of a fire set by your child, or if your child talks about setting fires or is curious about fire, dial 2-1-1 Maine or contact the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal at:

Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm office phone: (207) 626-3870

Emergency/After Hours phone: 800-452-4664 (Maine State Police)

1-888-870-6162 (Arson Hot line)

Service Location email: webmaster_fmo@maine.gov

These free services are available to children and juveniles from age 3 through 17, and interpreter services are available if needed.

Your information will be forwarded to a local youth fire safety collaborative who will contact you to conduct an assessment and provide fire safety education and/or referrals for additional assistance.