Provided by the U.S. Fire Administration
THE OVERALL PICTURE
- The U.S. has one of the highest fire death
rates, per capita, in the industrialized world. Approximately
5,700 people die in fires in this country annually, and another
29,000 civilians are injured. Approximately 100 firefighters die
each year in duty related incidents. Each year fire usually kills
more Americans than all natural disasters combined, including
floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.
- Fire is the third leading cause of accidental
death in the home; at least 70 percent of all fire deaths occur
in residences.
- More than 2 million fires are reported each year;
many others go unreported, causing additional injuries and property
loss.
- Direct property loss due to fires is estimated
at $8.5 billion annually.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK
- Senior citizens are at the highest risk of being
killed in a fire - more than double the average population.
The southeastern U.S. has the highest fire death rate per capita.
Nearly 80 percent of all fatalities occur in the home. Of those,
approximately 67 percent occur in single-family homes and duplexes.
At least 785 fire deaths occur in apartments each year. About
80 people die in hotel/motel fires annually I with careless smoking
as the leading cause of these deaths.
- People under the age of 19 account for 25 percent
of the annual fire deaths. Children under age five are at serious
risk of being killed in a fire - nearly double the average population.
About 25 percent of the fires that kill young children are started
by children playing with fire.
- Fire deaths and injuries for men are nearly double
those for women.
- Careless smoking is the leading cause of residential
fire deaths. Smoke detectors and smolder-resistant bedding and
upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents.
- Arson is the second leading cause of residential
fires and residential fire deaths; in commercial properties, arson
is the major cause of deaths, injuries and dollar loss.
- Heating is the third leading cause of residential
fire deaths. Heater fires are the leading cause of fire deaths
in the southeastern U.S.; wood stoves are a serious problem in
the northern U.S.
- Cooking is the leading cause of apartment fires
and the second most frequent cause of single family residential
fires. These fires often result from unattended cooking and human
error, rather than mechanical failures of stoves or ovens.
WHAT SAVES LIVES
- A working smoke detector doubles a person's chance
of surviving a fire. Approximately 90 percent of U.S. homes have
at least one smoke detector. Nearly half the residential fires
and three fifths of the residential fatalities occur in homes
with no smoke detectors.
- Residential sprinklers have become more cost effective
and can usually be installed for $.75 to $1.50 per square foot.
TOP FIVE AREAS OF FIRE ORIGIN
- Kitchen 29%
- Bedroom 13%
- Living Room/Den 8%
- Chimney 8%
- Laundry Area 4%
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