The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is raising awareness about the seriousness of the crime of arson during Arson Awareness Week with a focus on fire-setting issues among youth. The National Fire Protection Association reports municipal fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated annual average of 52,260 intentionally set structure fires in the five-year period from 2014 to 2018. These fires caused an estimated 400 civilian deaths, and $815 million in direct property damage each year.

Meanwhile -- Senator Patrick Joyce is pushing legislation to increase youth fire safety education. HB 2372 was passed by the Senate last Thursday.  It's aim is to increase fire prevention education statewide. Joyce said teaching kids about fire prevention will help protect public safety by preventing future fire-setting behavior within communities.  A program would be set up to work with families, schools and othyer groups to instruct and support children thru educational programs.

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