FACTS
ABOUT FIRE 2007 - IN REVIEW........
(2007
is the latest year for available data)
1.
U.S. fire departments responded to 399,000 home fires in 2007
2.
Home fires killed almost 2,900 people
3.
Someone was injured in a home fire every 39 seconds
4.
Roughly eight died in home fires every day
5.
A fire department responded to a home fire every 79 seconds
6.
Eighty-four percent of all fire deaths resulted from home fires
7.
Sixty-three percent of reported home fire deaths happened in homes
with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
8.
About 1/3 of home fires and deaths happened in the months of December,
January and February
FACTS
ABOUT THE LEADING CAUSES OF FIRES IN THE HOME
COOKING:
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries. Cooking equipment
is involved in 40% of the reported home fires each year. Unattended
cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires.
SAFETY
TIPS:
Pay
attention to your cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying.
grilling or broiling food.
If
you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off
the stove.
When
you are simmering, boilking, baking or roasting food, check it regulary,
stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.
SMOKING:
Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. One out of four victims
of fatal smoking-related fires is not the smoker whose cigarette started
the fire.
SAFETY
TIPS:
Ask
smokers to smoke outside.
Provide
smokers with deep, sturdy ashtrays.
Never
smoke if you are tired, have had alcohol, or have taken medicine or
drugs that make you sleepy.
Keep
smoking materials away from things that can burn, like bedding, furniture
or clothing.
ELECTRICAL
FIRES: On the average, there are more than 21,000 electrical and lighting
home fires each year, resulting in 370 deaths.
SAFETY
TIPS:
When
buying, selling, or remodeling your home, have a complete professional
electrical inspection.
Install
arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) to protect electrical outlets.
AFCIs protect against monitoring the electrical current in a circuit
and shutting off the circuit when unintended arcing occurs.
INTENTIONAL:
Each year, an estimated 17,900 intentionally set home structure fires
occur, resulting in 320 deaths and $542 million in property loss.
During an economic downturn, it is important to keep a watchful eye
on your neighborhood.
SAFETY
TIPS:
Encourage
your community to implement an anti-arson program.
Keep
trash from collecting on your property.
Remove
abandoned vehicles from your property.
Remove
dead branches that could be used as a fuel source.
Store
flammable liquids in a locked shed or detached garage.
Install
lighting around the property to deter intruders.
If
a child displays fire-starting behavior, seek professional help through
your fire department or from a mental health professional.
Do
not hesitate to report a neighborhood child who starts fires to his
or her parents or to authorities.
HEATING:
Heating is the second leading cause of fire deaths. Half of all heating-related
fire deaths happen in December, January and February. Most space heater
fires are caused by the space heater being too close to things that
can burn. One of every four home heating fire is caused by the failure
to clean - most of these fires occur in dirty chimneys.
SAFETY
TIPS:
Keep
space heaters at least 3 feet from people and from anything that can
burn, such as curtains and bedding.
Turn
portable space heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
Have
heating equipment professionally inspected and serviced every year.
Have
your chimneys cleaned and inspected before each heating season.
BURNS:
The most common type of burn injuries are fire/flame burns, scalds,
and contact burns. Burns are painful and can result in serious scarring
and even death.
SAFETY
TIPS: (DON'T GET BURNED)
Keep
hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges so they cannot
be pulled off or knocked over.
Have
a 3-foot "kid free" zone around the stove and anything else
that gets hot, like a wood stove, portable heater, or fireplace.
Never
hold a child in your arms while preparing hot food or drinking a hot
beverage.
Teach
children that hot things can burn.
Be
careful when using things that get hot, such as curling irons, ovens,
irons, lamps and heaters.
Keep
matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children and in
a locked cabinet.
Wear
short or tight-fitting clothing when cooking.
Never
leave a child alone in a room with a lit candle, portable heater,
lit fireplace, stove or hot appliance.
SAFETY
TIPS: (JUST RIGHT?)
To
avoid scalds, set the thermometer on your water heater to no higher
than 120 degrees Farenheit.
Consider
installing "anti-scald" devices of tub faucets and shower
heads to prevent scalds.
Test
the water before placing a child or yourself in the tub. Bath water
should feel warm, not hot. Before you put your child in the tub, test
the temperature with your wrist, elbow, or the back of your hand.
SAFETY
TIPS: (COOL A BURN)
Treat
a burn right away. Put it in cool water for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover
with a clean, dry cloth.
If
the burn is bigger than your fist or you have any questions, get medical
help right away.
Remove
all clothing, diapers, jewelry, and metal from the burned areas.
For
more information: www.nfpa.org or www.sparky.org
