Facts About House Fires

Basic Facts About House Fires

Overview

Everyday, Americans experience the horror of fire. Deaths from fires and burns are the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States (CDC 2005) and the third leading cause of fatal home injury (Runyan 2004). The United States’ mortality rate from fires ranks sixth among the 25 developed countries for which statistics are available (International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics 2003).

Although the number of fatalities and injuries caused by residential fires has declined gradually over the past several decades, many residential fire-related deaths remain preventable and continue to pose a significant public health problem.

But most people don’t understand fire. Only when we know the true nature of fire can you and your family PREPARE FOR and SURVIVE a fire. The following facts and information about fire and house fires are intended to provide a “solid foundation” to increase your basic understanding of fire, fire hazards reducing the risk of a house fire:

In the estimated time it will take you to read this section of this Guide, an estimated 3 to 4 structure fires will have been reported somewhere in the United States.
Each year more than 4,000 American’s die and approximately 25,000 are injured in fires many of which could have been prevented.
Nearly 1,000 lives are lost to fires that originated in the bedroom and about 100 firefighters are killed in the line of duty each year.
Each year in the United States fires kill more American’s than all natural disasters combined.
About 80% of these deaths occur in residences and it is estimated that over 39% of residential fires and 52% of residential fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms.
A working smoke alarm dramatically increases a person’s chance of survival. Residential sprinklers have also become more cost effective to install in homes although few homes still have them.
During the winter months, the potential for fires increase because of the use of Christmas trees, heating appliances such as the furnace, space heaters, and fireplaces as well as the increased use of lighting.

House fires in the U.S. that are started by candles are at a 20-year high.
Children playing with fire set over 100,000 fires annually and over 30% of those fires kill the children who started them. This equates to over 800 children killed each year by the fires they set playing.
Studies of electrical fires in homes show that many problems are associated with improper installation of electrical devices by do-it-yourselfers that do not comply with code requirements.
Common errors that can lead to fires include the use of improperly rated devices such as switches or receptacles and loose connections at these devices.
A house fire is reported in the United States every 90 seconds. This is an average of 1.9 million fires reported each year and someone dies in a house fire every two and one-half hours.

Other Detailed Facts About Fire

Fire Is Fast

In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames. Most fires occur in the home when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire, you won’t have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape.

Fire Is Hot

Heat is more threatening than flames! A fire’s heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this supper hot air will scorch your lungs. This heat can melt clothes to your skin. In five minutes, a room can get so hot that everything in it ignites at once: this is called flashover.

Fire is Dark

Fire isn’t bright; it’s pitch black. Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find you way around the home you have lived in for years.

Fire Is Deadly

Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do! Fire uses up the oxygen you need to breathe and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath.The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into

a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape.

Fire Characteristics Summary

To protect yourself, it is important to understand the basic characteristics of fire.

· Each year, more than 4,000 Americans die and more than 25,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented.

· Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at $8.6 billion annually.

· In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening.

· In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.

· Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call.

· Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames.

· Inhaling the super-hot air generated by fire can sear your lungs.

· Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy.

· Instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep.

· Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.

Causes of Fires and Fire Deaths

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of home fire injuries. Cooking fires often result from unattended cooking and human error, rather than mechanical failure of stoves or ovens. Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. The following items are significant factors in preventing home fires:

Smoke alarms, smolder-resistant bedding and upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents.
Arson is both the second leading cause of residential fires and residential fire deaths.
In commercial properties, arson is the major cause of death, injuries and dollar loss.
Heating is the third leading cause of residential fires.
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.

Where Fires Occur Most Frequently In Residences

In single family dwellings

1. Kitchen (25.5%)
2. Bedroom (13.7%)
3. Living Room (8.6%)
4. Chimney (8.2%)
5. Laundry area (5%)

In Apartment or Multi-family Dwellings

1. Kitchen (48.5%)
2. Bedroom (13.4%)
3. Living Room (6.4%)
4. Laundry area (3.5%)
5. Bathroom (2.4%)

Those At Highest Risk of Fire

Senior citizens age 65 and older and children under the age of 5 have the greatest risk of fire death.
The fire death risk among seniors over 65 is more than double; over the age 75 triple; over the age 85, 3 and on half times the average population.
Children under the age of 10 accounted for an estimated 22.2 % of all fire deaths.
Men die or are injured in fires almost twice as often as women.
African Americans and American Indians have significantly higher death rates per capita than the national average.
Although African Americans comprise an estimated 13% of the population, they account for 26 % of the fire deaths.