The theme of today’s tip takes aim at the tragic fires caused by matches and lighters when they are used carelessly or allowed to fall into the hands of children.

Of the home fire fatalities where the cause could be established, more than one-third involved children playing with matches or lighters, or the careless use of smoking materials.

Tragically, children are often the victims of fires they start. Many of these fires could be prevented if lighters and matches were kept out of children’s hands.

Teach your kids that matches and lighters are tools, not toys, and it is wrong to play with them.

— Sallie Ross-Filgo, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department