FACTS ON FIRE!

FIRE IN THE UNITED STATES

FACT: The U.S. has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world

FACT: About 5,000 people die every year in this country as the result of fire and another 25,500 are injured

FACT: About 100 firefighters are killed annually in duty-related incidents

FACT: Each year, fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined

FACT: Fire is third leading cause of accidental death in the home - 80% of all fire deaths occur at home

FACT: More than 2 million fires are reported each year

FACT: Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at $9.4 billion annually 

CAUSES OF FIRES & FIRE DEATHS

FACT: Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of fire injuries.
            Cooking fires often result from unattended cooking and human error, rather than mechanical
            failure of stoves or ovens.

FACT: Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoke detectors and smolder-resistant
            bedding and upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents.

FACT: Heating is the second leading cause of residential fires and ties with arson as the second leading
            cause of fire deaths. However, heating fires are a larger problem in single family homes than in
            apartments. Unlike apartments, the heating systems in single family homes are often not
            professionally maintained.

FACT: Arson is the third leading cause of residential fires and a leading cause of residential fire deaths.
            In commercial properties, arson is the major cause of deaths, injuries and dollar loss.

FACT: Senior citizens and children under the age of five have the greatest risk of fire deaths.

FACT: The fire death risk among seniors is more than double the average population.

FACT: The fire death risk for children under age five is nearly double the risk of the adults.

FACT: Children under the age of ten accounted for estimated 20% of all fire deaths.

FACT: Over 30% of the fires that kill young children are started by children playing with fire.

FACT: Men die or are injured in fires twice as often as women.

 WHAT SAVES LIVES

FACT: A working smoke detector dramatically increases a person's chance of surviving a fire.

FACT: Approximately 90% of U.S. homes have at least one smoke detector. However, these

FACT: It is estimated that over 40% of residential fires and three-fifths of residential fatalities

FACT: Residential sprinklers have become more cost effective for homes. Currently, few homes