The Las Cruces Fire Department is committed to educating the public on fire and injury prevention. LCFD has adopted programs that address these issues.
Of the ten leading causes of injury deaths for the one to four and five to nine year old age groups, unintentional fires and burns ranks third (National Center for Health Statistics, 2000). Of the first recorded 10 fires in the City of Las Cruces in 2001, children playing with matches and lighters caused three. These fires occurred during the day and were started by four and five year olds. This does not include the countless other incidents that occur and are not reported.
This fire safety program targets three to five year olds who stay home with their parents, grandparents and other caregivers. The program is designed to provide parents and caregivers with fire safety information and to help them teach fire safety behaviors to their young children. The program also provides access to a multi-media tool kit that includes a video, games and other activities for the children. Three to five year-olds are naturally curious at this stage in their lives, so it is imperative to learn fire safety education and fire safety skills at a young age.
This program is currently available to parents and caregivers at the Success by Six Parenting Resource Center in Las Cruces, 727 Taylor Street, 575-526-4057, the La Vida Institute Resource Library in Las Cruces, 255 West Hadley, 575-527-1231.