Home Fires
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Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Only one in five home fires were reported during these hours.
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One quarter of home fire deaths were caused by fires that started in the bedroom. Another quarter resulted from fires in the living room, family room or den.
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Candles, matches, wood stoves and even sparking toys, can be ignition sources and should not be used in the home.
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Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
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In 2013, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,755 deaths, 12,200 civilian injuries, and $7.0 billion in direct damage
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During 2007-2011, roughly one of every 320 households had a reported home fire per year.
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Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.
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Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.
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Due to the serious risk of flash fire and burns when consumers add pourable gel to an already burning fire pot, NFPA and CPSC are warning consumers to immediately stop using the pourable gel fuel.
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Gel fuel and gel fuel pots should be considered an open flame and pose a serious danger.
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When a CFL bulb burns out it may smoke and the plastic base may blacken. This is normal and is not a fire safety issue
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Home fires killed an average of eight people every day in 2013.
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Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.
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Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths.
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Most fatal fires kill only one or two people. In 2013, 12 home fires killed five or more people resulting in a total of 67 deaths.
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Put batteries in the device the right way.
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Only use the charging cord that came with the device.
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Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch.
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Keep batteries at room temperature.
Apartment Fire
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Don’t prop open exit or stairway doors.
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Speak to your apartment manager if you see a damaged smoke alarm, fire extinguisher or an emergency light that has been burned out.
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Count the number of doors there are between your apartment and the nearest fire exit.
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Know where all the exit doors and stairs are on your floor.
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Learn your building evacuation plan if you have one. Create and practice an escape plan for your specific apartment.
Smoke Alarms
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Three out of five home fire deaths in 2007-2011 were caused by fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
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Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
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In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 93% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated only 79% of the time.
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When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
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An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed, to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.
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When people who are deaf are asleep, a pillow or bed shaker can wake them so they can escape.
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When people who are hard of hearing are asleep, a loud, mixed, low-pitched sound alert device can wake them. A pillow or bed shaker may be helpful. These devices are triggered by the sound of the smoke alarm.
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Carbon Monoxide alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all Carbon Monoxide alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
Escape Planning
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According to an NFPA survey, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
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Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, more than half never practiced it.
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One-third (32%) of survey respondents who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. The time available is often less. Only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!
Cooking
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U.S. Fire Departments responded to an estimated annual average of 156,600 cooking-related fires between 2007-2011, resulting in 400 civilian deaths, 5,080 civilian injuries and $853 million in direct damage.
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Two of every five home fires started in the kitchen.
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Unattended cooking was a factor in one-third of reported home cooking fires.
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Two-thirds of home cooking fires started with ignition of food or other cooking materials.
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Ranges accounted for almost three of every five (57%) of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 16%.
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Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking and hot food and drinks than of being hurt in a cooking fire.
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Microwave ovens are one of the leading home products associated with scald burns. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, two out of five of the microwave oven injuries seen at emergency rooms in 2012 were scald burns.
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Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of home cooking fires, but these incidents accounted for 15% of the cooking fire deaths.
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Fifty-five percent of people injured in home fires involving cooking equipment were hurt while attempting to fight the fire themselves.
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Failure to clean was a factor contributing to ignition in 17% of reported home fires involving ovens or rotisseries.
Heating
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The leading factor contributing to heating equipment fires was failure to clean. This usually involved creosote build-up in chimneys.
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Portable or fixed space heaters, including wood stoves, were involved in one-third (33%) of home heating fires and four out of five (81%) home heating deaths.
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Just over half of home heating fire deaths resulted from fires caused by heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding.
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In most years, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires, fire deaths, and fire injuries.
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Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
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Keep the heater at least 3 feet (1 metre) away from anything that can burn, including people.
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Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.
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An adult should always be present when a portable fireplace is burning.
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Place the fireplace on a sturdy surface away from table edges.
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It’s a good idea to crack a window open for a fresh supply of air.
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Never try to move a lit fireplace or one that is still hot.
Smoking Materials
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Smoking materials started an average of 17,900 smoking-material home structure fires per year during 2007-2011. These fires caused an average of 580 deaths, 1,280 injuries and $509 million in direct property damage per year.
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Most deaths in home smoking-material fires were caused by fires that started in bedrooms (40%) or living rooms, family rooms or dens (35%).
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Sleep was a factor in roughly one-third of the home smoking material fire deaths.
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Possible alcohol impairment was a factor in one in five (19%) of home smoking fire deaths.
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One out of four fatal victims of smoking-material fires is not the smoker whose cigarettes started the fire.
Electrical
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About half (48%) of home electrical fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment. Other leading types of equipment were washer or dryer, fan, portable or stationary space heater, air conditioning equipment water heater and range.
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Electrical failure or malfunctions caused an average of 47,800 home fires per year in 2007-2011, resulting in an average of 450 deaths and $1.5 billion in direct property damage.
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NFPA Electrical Safety Around Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas Safety Tip Sheet
Candles
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During 2007-2011 candles caused 3% of home fires, 4% of home fire deaths, 7% of home fire injuries, and 6% of direct property damage from home fires.
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On average, there are 29 home candle fires reported per day.
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More than one-third of these fires (36%) started in the bedroom; however, the candle industry found that only 13% of candle users burn candles in the bedroom most often.
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Nearly three in five candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle.
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Falling asleep was a factor in 11% of the home candle fires and 37% of the associated deaths.
Outdoors
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If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning. Look for shelter inside a home, large building, or a hard-topped vehicle right away.
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NFPA Lightning Safety Tip Sheet
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- There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
- Never leave your grill unattended.
- Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
NFPA Grilling Safety Tip Sheet
- To prevent an electrical shock, make sure all your outside electrical receptacles are GFCI (Ground-fault circuit interrupter) protected.
NFPA Outdoor Electrical Safety Tip Sheet
- Attend to the campfire at all times. A campfire left alone for only a few minutes can grow into a damaging fire.
- Always have a hose, bucket of water, or shovel and dirt or sand nearby to put out the fire. Make sure to put it completely out before leaving the site.
- Keep a campfire small which is easier to control.
NFPA Campfire Safety Tip Sheet
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Generators should be used in well ventilated locations outside at least 5 feet (1.5 metres) away from all doors, windows, and vent openings. Measure the 5-foot (1.5 metres) distance from the generator exhaust system to the building.
Animal Safety
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Pets are curious. They may bump into, turn on, or knock over cooking equipment. Keep pets away from stoves and countertops.
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Keep pets away from candles, lamps, and space heaters.
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Never go back inside for pets in a fire. Tell firefighters if your pet is trapped.
Seasonal
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Construct barriers, such as levees, berms, or flood walls, to stop floodwater from entering the building.
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Stay out of flood waters, if possible. Even water only several inches deep can be dangerous. If you have to walk through water, use a stick to check the firmness of the ground ahead of you. Avoid moving water.
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Prepare your evacuation plan, including pets, transportation routes and destinations.
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Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed and clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
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Don’t be fooled by a lull in the storm—it could be the eye of the storm and winds could resume.
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When choosing a costume, stay away from long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so he or she can see out.
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Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
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Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently
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Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
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Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
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Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
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Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
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Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed
Transportation
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Pull over as quickly as it is safe to do so, be sure to use your signal as you make your way to a safe location off the road such as the breakdown lane or rest stop.
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Once you have stopped, TURN OFF the engine.
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GET everyone out of the car. Never return to a burning car for anything
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NFPA Car Fire Safety Tip Sheet
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College Campus
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Look for fully sprinklered housing when choosing a dorm or off-campus housing
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Cook only when you are alert, not sleepy or drowsy from medicine or alcohol.
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Check with your local fire department for any restrictions before using a barbeque grill, fire pit, or chimenea.