They don't know that scissors will harm them until they're cut or that a knife will cut them worse. They don't realize that, to get in a vehicle without knowing how to drive, they can and most definitely will damage someone's property and severely hurt anyone inside the vehicle. They might even run into another car and severely hurt themselves or even kill themselves.

The most deadly item and the most easiest to get their hands on are matches. Where there are matches, there is usually fire. Sometimes the smell of sulfur will be enough to keep a child from playing with them, but some kids love the smell of sulfur and also like the sight of fire. They also think the sight of flames are beautiful and neat. Most children learn that fire burns. Hopefully they don't end up very badly burned.

Bigger fires might look pretty to some, but they really don't think about the damage this fire will make, or the lives this fiery monster can and will take. This monster of a fire will take young and old alike. It does not discriminate; it is not picky.

We teach our children not to touch pans that are hot or burners on a stove. We teach them to check their bath water before they just jump in. We teach them to blow on their food to cool it down before they put it in their mouths. We really need to teach them about playing with matches and about fire prevention. Teach them at a very young age not to play with matches. Take them to your neighborhood fire station and let them talk to the firemen. Let them ask the firemen about the dangers of a fire. Let them ask him what they can do about fire prevention and see if this fireman will let them see their fire truck.

If you still think that your children do not understand what they have heard. then you might have to take them to a home, building, or other structure that had been ravaged by a fire. Let them touch and see the damage that was left behind. Tell them how this damage had been made. Try to make them understand that if they start a fire, they could lose their clothes, toys, and pets, if they have any. They can also lose their life. Tell your children that you love them very much. Make them understand that you would be very sad and very disappointed if anything should happen to them.