Stop dumbing down our children, make them functional.Some risks are just to expensive to take a chance on. Fires in a place like Southern California are one of them.
There's a reason young children can't drive cars, not that they don't try it sometimes. There's no shortage of mistakes for them to make. They should be protected from the worst of them.
Not teaching a child to function in society and around dangers is the greatest risk of all; one that is too great to take a chance on.
Of course, maybe you need someone to raise your children for you, like a village... or Hillary.
But, personally, I raised my kids to know that there are rights and wrongs, and when you commit a wrong, you will pay, usually pretty swiftly with a swat to the hand.
When I was about three, my dad parked the '65 Falcon wagon next to the house so he could load some stuff into or out of the shed. He left the stickshift car in reverse and the keys on the seat.
I got in, put the keys in the ignition and turned 'em. The starter motor was strong enough to push the car backwards into the house.
I do remember I was distraught; I don't remember getting so much as a stern talking-to.
Stuff happens. Buy insurance.
A child is not a mini adult.