Tips to stay vigilant during arson awareness week
May 4 to 10 is the 30th annual Arson Awareness Week, and this year's theme is 'Preventing Arson in the Wildfire Environment – A Community Approach.'
According to the United States Fire Administration, arsons harm communities by decreasing property values and increasing insurance premiums.
An average of 52,260 fires were intentionally set annually from 2014 to 2018, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Arsons cause an estimated 400 civilian deaths, 950 civilian injuries and about $815 million in property damages.]
'Arson is not only a crime—it's a dangerous act that puts lives, property, and entire communities at risk. We have seen the devastating effects that intentionally set fires can have on not only communities but families,' said Illinois State Fire Marshal James Rivera. 'During Arson Awareness Week, I encourage everyone to stay vigilant, report suspicious activity, and help us prevent these devastating fires before they start. Fire prevention is a shared responsibility, and together, we can help make our communities safer and free from intentionally set fires.'
Some tips to help reduce the risk of arson include:
Keep leaves, firewood, overgrown brush, and shrubbery and other combustibles away from buildings.
Keep doors and windows locked when a building is unoccupied. Board up abandoned buildings. Do not use double cylinder deadbolt locks without keeping a key nearby, bars without quick release mechanisms, or other security provisions that could trap a person in a building with a deadly fire.
Store all flammable liquids such as paints, gasoline, and mowers in an approved storage location: locked cabinets, locked storage units, and locked garages (prevent access to kids). Also, keep away from heat sources such as furnaces and any type of heaters.
Report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings to the local police and support Neighborhood Watch programs.
If you suspect a child is setting fires, notify the proper authorities. Keep matches and lighters out of reach and out of sight of young children.
If you know or suspect that an arson crime has been committed, contact your local fire or police department.
Anyone who would like to anonymously provide information about a suspicious fire can call the statewide Arson Hotline at (800) 252-2947.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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