Chinese authorities warned of the dangers faced by children on Tuesday, one day ahead of the International Children's Day.
A total of 1,624 children under the age of 18 died in fire over the past five years, accounting for 18.6 percent all fire fatalities nationwide, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced.
In the past five years, children playing with fire resulted in 27,000 fire accidents nationwide, killing 264 people, injuring 96 and causing direct losses of 130 million yuan (19.76 million U.S. dollars), according to the MPS.
The MPS has called for enhanced fire safety education among minors and better supervision of young children.
A circular on traffic safety education for elementary and middle school students has been jointly issued by the MPS, the Ministry of Education and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, the MPS said.
The document calls for a series of activities that will teach students road safety.
