What Happens If Your Kid Starts a Fire in Lubbock?

Kids and irresponsible behavior go together like my uncle Francis and eating glue. They really shouldn't be doing it, but it's just in their nature. RIP uncle Frank.

This is especially the case when it comes to starting fires. In Lubbock, fires set by juveniles come with their own laundry list of questions for both citizens and officials. The main thing you need to know is that if your child starts a fire, no matter the damage done, it is your fault as the parent/guardian.

According to the Lubbock Fire Marshal's Office, these are some of the most-asked questions when it comes to minors and fire-related offenses.

What Happens if My Child is Charged with a Fire-Related Offense?

In Lubbock, depending on the severity of the offense and how old your child is, they could be charged as an adult and arrested.

In some cases, your child could be taken into custody but soon released on certain conditions like a mandatory curfew, check-ins, drug testing, and a mandatory meeting with a probation officer.

In more severe cases, formal charges can be brought against your child which could include long term placement at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

How Often Are Fires Started by Juveniles?

In Lubbock, there are five common issues that influence a child to set fires. These include the following:

• Peer pressure - Friend groups that are bad influences can put pressure on your kids to want to fit in by doing something they know is wrong
• Crisis - Events that happen at home or at school like divorce or a recent death in the family can cause a child to act out
• Emotions - Unprocessed emotions like frustration and anger can cause kids to make decisions without thinking of the consequences
• Thinking errors - Many young people claim they thought they could control the fire that got out of hand. This often occurs with children who never meant to actually cause a fire in the first place
• Lack of empathy - Some young kids or teenagers often ignore the feelings of others and don't understand how the consequences could affect others

What Can You Do To Avoid These Dangers?

Every family is different, but the main ways you can avoid situations like these is by talking to your children and explaining the potential dangers that fire poses to both property and other people.

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It may sound obvious to us, but some people don't understand, or simply just don't care about, the negative repercussions of their actions.

Showing your kids that decisions like this can leave emotional scars forever and that it's not just their own lives at jeopardy can be a good start. Hiding matches and lighters in your home can also be a good deterrent.