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| Fire Death and Injury Facts |
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 Deaths from fires and burns are the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States and the third leading cause of fatal home injury.
Quick Facts from CDC's Injury Center
· On average in the United States in 2006, someone died in a fire about every 162 minutes, and someone was injured every 32 minutes.
· Four out of five U.S. fire deaths in 2005 occurred in homes.
· Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related deaths.
· Cooking is the primary cause of residential fires.
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| Program Spotlight: Residential Fire Homebound Elderly Lifeline Project (Fire H.E.L.P.) |
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When compared with the rest of the population, older adults are at much higher risk for residential fire deaths. To reduce fire-related injuries and loss of life and property among homebound older adults, CDC has partnered with Meals on Wheels Association of America and the International Association of Fire Chiefs to develop and implement the Residential Fire Homebound Elderly Lifeline Project.
(Fire H.E.L.P.)
Fire H.E.L.P. consists of three major components: home screening for smoke alarms; education on fire risk factors and the importance of smoke alarms and escape planning; and installation and periodic testing of free smoke alarms with long-life lithium batteries.
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| News |
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U.S. Fire Administration Kicks Off Public Safety Campaign to End #1 Cause of Preventable Home Fire Deaths - Fires Caused By Smoking Materials
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is encouraging smokers to "Put It Out. All the Way. Every Time." The Smoking & Home Fires Campaign warns about the dangers of careless smoking and urges smokers to do it outside if they need to smoke. Inside the home, people should use big ashtrays with a stable base and really put the cigarette out, don't just tap it into the ashtray. People should especially make sure their cigarette is fully out if they are drowsy due to medicine or alcohol.
The USFA's Smoking & Home Fires Campaign is working in partnership with 13 national organizations to spread the message about fire safety including the American Fire Sprinkler Association, BIFMA International (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association), Burn Foundation, The Center for Campus Fire Safety, Fire and Life Safety Section (part of IAFC), Florida Association of Fire and Life Safety Educators (FAFLSE), Home Safety Council, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Association of Hispanic Firefighters, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Polyurethane Foam Association, Residential Fire Safety Institute, and Safe Kids Worldwide.
The campaign materials include a CD Toolkit with English and Spanish posters, brochures, fact sheets, public service announcements, PowerPoint presentations, an engaging video of a smoking-home fire demonstration, and more. The materials are available online and can be ordered by visiting www.usfa.dhs.gov/smoking. Fire departments and community organizations are encouraged to use these free materials.
A video PSA for the web is also available.
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| Resources and Reports |
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The Case for Fire-Safe Cigarettes
This report, first in the IRC Policy Injury Policy Briefs series, outlines how policy calling for the sale of fire-safe cigarettes can reduce the burden of unnecessary death, injury, and financial losses associated with cigarette-related fires in the Midwest states.
The IRC Policy Injury Policy Briefs are intended to bring the best research available to decision makers as they consider how to address critical public health safety issues. One of the Medical College of Wisconsin Injury Research Center's (IRC) aims is to foster the process of "evidence-based" policy decision-making in the Great Lakes Region. For more information visit
http://www.mcw.edu/display/router.asp?docid=26449
Report on Mitigation of the Rural Fire Problem in the United States
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announced the release of a comprehensive report from a joint project with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to examine what can be done to reduce the high death rate from fire in rural America. This report, Mitigation of the Rural Fire Problem - Strategies Based on Original Research and Adaptation of Existing Best Practices, provides implementation strategies for the reduction of rural fires. The report targets the fundamental differences in the nature of the rural fire problem compared to the U.S. fire problem as a whole.
The project reached out to leaders of organizations serving rural communities to learn what works in implementing programs in those communities. Also, national and local fire service organizations were consulted to learn more about their program successes and challenges in the reduction of fires, deaths, and injuries in rural communities.
Poverty was found to be the most significant factor driving the higher fire risk in rural America. Less income means potentially fewer resources. While rural populations have a greater need for fire safety, they have a reduced ability to fill that need without outside help. They would benefit from safer products - which can sometimes mean newer products - as well as devices designed to provide safety like smoke alarms.
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| US Consumer Product Safety Commission Resources |
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Your Home Fire Safety Checklist
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has targeted the principal consumer products associated with fires, namely home heating devices, upholstered furniture, bedding, cigarette lighters, matches, and wearing apparel. Fire experts agree that one key to fewer fires is a greater awareness of how accidents can be prevented. By spotting these hazards and taking some simple precautions, many fires and fire-related injuries can be prevented.Use this checklist as a safety guide to spot possible fire safety problems which may be present in your home. It is a first step in reducing the risk of fire. The checklist can be downloaded at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/556.html
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| Upcoming Events |
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Home Safety Council Expert Webinar Series: Elementary and Middle School Fire Safety
As a part of an ongoing effort to bring home safety education into classrooms, the Home Safety Councils Fire Safety Rangers Know the Drill and Fire Science Programs reach out to elementary and middle school audiences with critical fire safety messages designed specifically to reach each age group. Each program teaches school children what to do during a fire emergency and provides valuable information on life-saving technologies, like interconnected smoke alarms and home fire sprinkler systems. Make plans now to join us in February to learn how you can implement these programs in your community and the most effective ways to keep elementary and middle school students in your area safe from fire dangers. For more information visit http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/expert_network/expertnetworkwebinars.aspx
National Fire Protection Association
World Safety Conference and Exposition
For fire prevention and life safety professionals
June 2-5, 2008
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Las Vegas, NV
American Burn Association Annual Meeting
April 29-May 2, 2008
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Chicago, IL
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