CHENANGO COUNTY – For years, fire departments around the country have been educating children to immediately tell an adult where they see a lighter or matches and not to pick them up. But with the recent popularity of novelty lighters – many of which closely resemble toys – children and adults are confusing dangerous lighters for harmless toys.

This week is National Arson Awareness Week, and this year the U.S. Fire Administration is concentrating their focus on toylike lighters that could encourage children to play with fire.

“The goal of this year’s Arson Awareness Week is to focus public attention on the dangers of toylike or novelty lighters in the hands of children. Toylike or novelty lighters have been responsible for injuries, deaths and accidents across the nation,” a media release from the U.S. Fire Administration said.