Sunday marked the beginning of Arson Awareness Week (AAW), whichis part of a nationwide initiative to educate the public onpreventing the loss of life and property stemming from this dangerouscrime.

The USFA partnered with the International Association of ArsonInvestigators (IAAI); Safe Kids USA; USAonWatch; National VolunteerFire Council (NVFC); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms andExplosives (ATF); and the National Association of State FireMarshals to announce this year's theme: “Prevent YouthFiresetting.”

In a statement acknowledging AAW, Florida Chief FinancialOfficer and State Fire Marshal Jeff Atwater stressed that arsonremains 'a serious crime that puts lives at risk.'

“It is truly tragic when a juvenile chooses to commit arson orany other crime, forever changing his or her life's course,” hesaid. “Raising awareness through initiatives like this can go along way in preventing these crimes from happening and helpingjuveniles stay on the path to becoming upstanding and productivecitizens.”

Between 2005 and 2009, fires started by children accounted foran average of 56,300 fires, the loss of 110 civilian lives, 880civilian injuries, and $286 million in direct property damage eachyear in the United States.

Atwater noted that in 2011, the State Fire Marshal's Officeinvestigated 1,539 arson cases and made 316 arson-related arrests.Of those cases, 77 were criminal arson cases involving juvenileswhich resulted in 126 juvenile arrests.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.),intentionally set fires caused nearly $675 million in property damage in 2010, including $89 million caused byvehicle fires and $585 million caused by fires in structures,according to the NFPA.

USFA and its partners said they will use the week of May 6 to 12to focus public attention on the importance of a collaborativeeffort with fire and emergency service departments, lawenforcement, mental health, social services, schools, and juvenilejustice to help reduce the occurrence of juveniles engaged withfire.

For more information about Arson Awareness Week 2012, visit theUSFA website.