Home Fire Prevention and Preparedness
Fires and burns continue to be a major cause of
unintentional injury death at home. Particularly at risk are the very
young and the very old.
Facts
 | 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home (U.S. Fire
Administration) |
| The leading cause of fire deaths is careless smoking (U.S. Fire
Administration) |
| Having a working smoke detector more than doubles one’s chances of
surviving a fire (U.S. Fire Administration) |
| 3,675 people died in fires in the United States in 2005 – one person
every 143 minutes. While the number of fires increased in 2005 over
2004, the number of deaths decreased 5.8 percent. (National Fire
Protection Association). |
| In 2005, 106 firefighters died in the line of duty in the United
States – down from 117 in 2004 (U.S. Fire Administration) |
| Adults 65 and older are more than twice as likely to die in fires as
the overall population. (U.S. Fire Administration study) |
| People born in 2003 have a 1-in-1,100 lifetime odds of dying due to
exposure to smoke, fire or flame. Odds in any given year are 1:86,000.
(National Safety Council) |
Follow the safety tips listed below to protect yourself and
your family.
Smoke Detectors
| One is definitely NOT enough! Every home should be equipped with
smoke detectors on every level, particularly outside of sleeping areas.
|
| Ensure that your smoke detectors are tested monthly and batteries
are replaced twice a year. Change batteries when you change your clocks.
|
| Encourage children to help test the smoke detectors. Familiarize
them with the sounds of the alarm(s). |
Fire Extinguishers
| Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen (one rated for
grease fires and electrical fires.) |
| It's a good idea to keep fire extinguishers near the furnace,
garage, and anywhere else a fire may start. These extinguishers are
affordable, life-saving equipment for your home. |
| Make sure every able-bodied member of the family is trained and
familiar with the proper way to use the fire extinguishers. |
| If you must use an extinguisher, make sure you have a clear way out
in the event you can't put out the fire. |
Flammables
| Keep matches, lighters and candles out of reach and out of sight of
children! |
| Smoking is dangerous! No one should ever smoke in bed. Make sure
that cigarettes/cigars are extinguished properly before dumping ashes.
|
| Avoid grease build-up in the kitchen and on appliances. Cooking
fires are common. Don't leave food cooking on stovetops unattended.
|
| If a fire should occur, suffocate it with a pot/pan lid or a cookie
sheet, or close the oven door. |
| Around the holidays, Christmas trees are a primary concern. Consider
using an artificial tree that is labeled "flame resistant." If you do
use an evergreen, water it daily to keep it from drying out. Make sure
to inspect stringed lights and window ornaments annually for
deterioration. |
| Dispose of materials from fireplaces and grills in non-flammable
containers. |
| Never put children to sleep in "day" clothes. Fire-retardant
sleepwear can make a difference in burn outcomes. |
Electrical Safety and Heat Sources
| Make sure your electrical system is not being over-taxed. This can
cause a fire. Do your lights dim or flicker when extra appliances are
plugged in? If you have questions or concerns, consult a certified
electrician. |
| Inspect wires. If you find any worn or exposed wiring from
appliances, discontinue their use immediately! A fire is imminent!
|
| Space heaters can be dangerous if not used correctly. Make sure
yours will automatically shut off if tipped over. Consult the operating
instructions to make sure you are using space heaters, gas fire places,
and other heat sources as intended by the manufacturer. Keep all
flammable materials away from heat sources! If there are young children
in the house, make sure space heaters and hot water heaters are
inaccessible. |
| Chimney fires are common. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned
annually. |
| Keep appliances unplugged when not in use.
|
Escaping a Fire
| Keep bedroom doors shut while sleeping. If you think there is a
fire, feel the door and knob for heat before opening. |
| Have an escape route for each area of the home and a designated
meeting place outside. |
| Draw a map—one that's easy for all members of the family and
visitors to understand. |
| When planning for a family with young children, be sure to teach
them not to hide from fire or smoke and to go to firefighters who are
there to help them. |
| All children should be familiar with the ideas of "crawling
underneath the smoke" to escape a fire. "Stop, drop and roll" is another
safety principle that must be ingrained into children's minds.
|
| Multi-storied buildings are of special concern. Ensure that everyone
is familiar with how to use an escape ladder if necessary. |
| Make sure every sleeping room has two means of escape in the event
of a fire. Windows provide a secondary means of escape. Ensure they are
in proper working order, are not painted shut, and guards are able to be
disengaged in case of fire and escape is necessary through that window.
|
| Everyone must understand that once you escape, you must never
reenter a burning building—no matter what you might have left behind.
|
| Call emergency responders (911) from a neighbor's house.
|
| Make sure to practice your escape plan periodically. It will be
easier to remember in case of an emergency. |
| Young children should know their street address and last name (and,
of course, how to dial 911). |
| After you've planned for the family, don't forget the pets. Alert
firefighters about your pets. Don't rely on window or door decals to
alert firefighters—such decals are often found to be outdated. In the
event your pet suffers from smoke inhalation, rush the animal to the
vet. |
Other Links:
USFA State
Fire Statistics
|
|
