Home Fire Preparedness

Fire in the United States

Home is the place where you feel safest. But
your home is also where you are most likely to
die in a fire. Four out of five fire-related deaths
among civilians occur in the home. Although
home fires and deaths have been declining
since 1977, much work remains to be done.
U.S. fire departments responded to more than
367,000 home structure fires in 2014.
These fires caused:
more than 2,700 civilian fire deaths, or 84
percent of all fire deaths in the U.S.
close to 12,000 civilian fire injuries, or 75
percent of all civilian fire injuries

Where do home fires start?

Approximately two of every five (43%) reported home structure
fires started in the kitchen.

Where do home firest start?

Approximately two of every five (43%) reported home
structure fires started in the kitchen.
Approximately two out of five home (39%) civilian fire
injuries were caused by these incidents.

Where do home fires start?

Approximately two of every five (43%) reported home
structure fires started in the kitchen.
Approximately two out of five home (39%) civilian fire
injuries were caused by these incidents.
In addition 16% of home fire deaths resulted from
kitchen fires.

Just 4% of home fires started in the living room, family room

or den, but these incidents caused less than one quarter
(24%) of home fire deaths and 10% of the home fire injuries.

Fires confined to chimneys or flues accounted for 6% of

all reported home fires

These are some areas of particular concern in

home fires
Cooking Equipment is the leading cause of home fires and of injuries in
home fires (and the fourth leading cause of home-fire deaths).
Cooking fires happen because people walk away from the stove. They
get distracted by children, pets or visitors, sometimes forgetting they
left food cooking.

These are some areas of particular concern in

home fires
Cooking Equipment is the leading cause of home fires and of injuries in
home fires (and the fourth leading cause of home-fire deaths).
Cooking fires happen because people walk away from the stove. They
get distracted by children, pets or visitors, sometimes forgetting they
left food cooking.
There is no safe period of time to leave cooking unattended. At least
two-thirds of these fires involve the range, especially the cooktop.

These are some areas of particular concern in

home fires
Cooking Equipment is the leading cause of home fires and of injuries in
home fires (and the fourth leading cause of home-fire deaths).
Cooking fires happen because people walk away from the stove. They
get distracted by children, pets or visitors, sometimes forgetting they
left food cooking.
There is no safe period of time to leave cooking unattended. At least
two-thirds of these fires involve the range, especially the cooktop.
Typically, cooking oil or other flammable liquids, or fat or grease, is
what first catches fire. And two-thirds of home cooking fires started
within the first 15 minutes of cooking.

These are some areas of particular concern in home fires

Heating Equipment is the second leading cause of home fires, and third
leading cause of home fire deaths.
Two out of three heating-related fires can be traced to improperly used
space heatersa category that includes fireplaces and chimneys; and
fixed and portable space heaters, including wood stoves.

These are some areas of particular concern in home

fires

Heating Equipment is the second leading cause of home fires, and third
leading cause of home fire deaths.
Two out of three heating-related fires can be traced to improperly used
space heatersa category that includes fireplaces and chimneys; and
fixed and portable space heaters, including wood stoves.
Space heaters (excluding fireplaces and chimney) most often caused
fires when something combustible was left too close. Most fireplace and
chimney fires were caused by creosote buildup, and could be prevented
by regular cleaning.

These are some areas of particular concern in

home fires

Smoking materials Lighted tobacco products almost always

cigarettes are the leading cause of fatal fires in the home, causing
700 to 900 deaths each year.
They are the leading cause of fire deaths in any location, in the
United States and every other country where sufficient data is
collected.

These are some areas of particular concern in

home fires

Smoking materials Lighted tobacco products almost always

cigarettes are the leading cause of fatal fires in the home, causing
700 to 900 deaths each year.
They are the leading cause of fire deaths in any location, in the
United States and every other country where sufficient data is
collected.
Typically, abandoned or carelessly discarded smoking materials
ignite trash, bedding or upholstered furniture.

These are some areas of particular concern in

home fires

Smoking materials Lighted tobacco products almost always

cigarettes are the leading cause of fatal fires in the home, causing
700 to 900 deaths each year.
They are the leading cause of fire deaths in any location, in the
United States and every other country where sufficient data is
collected.
Typically, abandoned or carelessly discarded smoking materials
ignite trash, bedding or upholstered furniture.
Most fatal smoking-related fires start in the living room, family room
or den, rather than the bedroom.

These are some areas of particular concern in home fires

Smoking materials Lighted tobacco products almost always
cigarettes are the leading cause of fatal fires in the home, causing 700
to 900 deaths each year.
They are the leading cause of fire deaths in any location, in the United
States and every other country where sufficient data is collected.
Typically, abandoned or carelessly discarded smoking materials ignite
trash, bedding or upholstered furniture.
Most fatal smoking-related fires start in the living room, family room
or den, rather than the bedroom.
The adoption of standards that require mattresses and upholstery to
resist going up flames from a cigarette has reduced the death toll
significantly.

Wood Frame Construction

Construction Type 5: Wood-Framed

Lightweight construction is generally considered to be either wood
frame or steel building materials, where the roof and/or floor
supporting systems are constructed of lightweight prefabricated
materials and is found in many modern single family homes as well
as apartment and condominium complexes

Construction Type 5: Wood-Framed

Lightweight construction is generally considered to be either wood
frame or steel building materials, where the roof and/or floor
supporting systems are constructed of lightweight prefabricated
materials and is found in many modern single family homes as well as
apartment and condominium complexes
The exterior walls, roofs, interior walls and floors, trim, and furnishings
are made of combustible materialsmost commonly wood. If the
walls are wood-framed, the roof usually is as well. Rooftops are
ceramic tile or asphalt shingles placed over lightweight trusses and
OSB (particle board). Many wood-frame buildings do not have any fireresistive components.

Construction Type 5: Wood-Framed

Lightweight construction is generally considered to be either wood
frame or steel building materials, where the roof and/or floor
supporting systems are constructed of lightweight prefabricated
materials and is found in many modern single family homes as well as
apartment and condominium complexes
The exterior walls, roofs, interior walls and floors, trim, and furnishings
are made of combustible materialsmost commonly wood. If the
walls are wood-framed, the roof usually is as well. Rooftops are
ceramic tile or asphalt shingles placed over lightweight trusses and
OSB (particle board). Many wood-frame buildings do not have any fireresistive components.
Type 5 construction usually creates voids and channels that allow a
fire within the structure to spread quickly, and can easily spread to
nearby structures.

Construction Type 5: Wood-Framed

Lightweight construction is generally considered to be either wood
frame or steel building materials, where the roof and/or floor
supporting systems are constructed of lightweight prefabricated
materials and is found in many modern single family homes as
well as apartment and condominium complexes
The exterior walls, roofs, interior walls and floors, trim, and
furnishings are made of combustible materialsmost commonly
wood. If the walls are wood-framed, the roof usually is as well.
Rooftops are ceramic tile or asphalt shingles placed over
lightweight trusses and OSB (particle board). Many wood-frame
buildings do not have any fire-resistive components.
Type 5 construction usually creates voids and channels that allow
a fire within the structure to spread quickly, and can easily spread
to nearby structures.
ULs Firefighter Safety Research Institute studies have found that
lightweight construction will fail within minutes of direct fire
impingement.

Toxic Gases

Carbon Monoxide
Is an odorless, colorless, non-irritant gas. While smoke rises, carbon
monoxide is about the same weight as the air we breathe so it is all
around us.

Carbon Monoxide
Is an odorless, colorless, non-irritant gas. While smoke rises, carbon
monoxide is about the same weight as the air we breathe so it is all
around us.
Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of
carbon-containing fuels, such as gas (domestic or bottled), coal, oil,
coke and wood.

Carbon Monoxide
Is an odorless, colorless, non-irritant gas. While smoke rises, carbon
monoxide is about the same weight as the air we breathe so it is all
around us.
Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of carboncontaining fuels, such as gas (domestic or bottled), coal, oil, coke and
wood.
When any fire burns, in an enclosed room, the amount of oxygen
available gradually decreases. At the same time the amount of carbon
dioxide increases. As the amounts of these two gases change, this
increasingly causes the combustion process to alter from one of
complete combustion to one of incomplete combustion. This results in

Hydrogen Cyanide
Is 35 times more toxic than carbon monoxide.

Hydrogen Cyanide
Is 35 times more toxic than carbon monoxide.
Is a highly toxic gas that is formed when such materials as wool, silk,
cotton, nylon, plastics, polymers, foam, melamine and synthetic rubber
burn. These products are found in common household items such as
mattresses, carpeting, upholstered furniture and blankets.

Hydrogen Cyanide
Is 35 times more toxic than carbon monoxide.
Is a highly toxic gas that is formed when such materials as wool, silk,
cotton, nylon, plastics, polymers, foam, melamine and synthetic rubber
burn. These products are found in common household items such as
mattresses, carpeting, upholstered furniture and blankets.
Can enter the body by absorption, inhalation, or ingestion and targets
the heart and brain.

Hydrogen Cyanide
Is 35 times more toxic than carbon monoxide.
Is a highly toxic gas that is formed when such materials as wool, silk,
cotton, nylon, plastics, polymers, foam, melamine and synthetic rubber
burn. These products are found in common household items such as
mattresses, carpeting, upholstered furniture and blankets.
Can enter the body by absorption, inhalation, or ingestion and targets
the heart and brain.
Can incapacitate a victim within a short time.

Phosgene
Formed when household products, such as vinyl materials, are burned.

Phosgene
Formed when household products, such as vinyl materials, are burned.
Phosgene is used in industry to produce many other chemicals such as
pesticides.

Phosgene
Formed when household products, such as vinyl materials, are burned.
Phosgene is used in industry to produce many other chemicals such as
pesticides.
Used extensively during World War I as a choking (pulmonary) agent.
Systemic damage is usually a secondary result of anoxia caused by loss
of lung function. It is corrosive to the lungs and intact skin.

Phosgene
Formed when household products, such as vinyl materials, are burned.
Phosgene is used in industry to produce many other chemicals such as
pesticides.
Used extensively during World War I as a choking (pulmonary) agent.
Systemic damage is usually a secondary result of anoxia caused by loss
of lung function. It is corrosive to the lungs and intact skin.
At room temperature (70F), phosgene is a poisonous gas.

Phosgene
Formed when household products, such as vinyl materials, are burned.
Phosgene is used in industry to produce many other chemicals such as
pesticides.
Used extensively during World War I as a choking (pulmonary) agent.
Systemic damage is usually a secondary result of anoxia caused by loss
of lung function. It is corrosive to the lungs and intact skin.
At room temperature (70F), phosgene is a poisonous gas.
Phosgene gas is heavier than air, so it would be more likely found in lowlying areas.

 Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and
your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of
your home quickly.

 Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and
your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of
your home quickly.
Find two ways to get out of each room. A secondary route might be a
window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from
upper story windows.

 Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and
your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of
your home quickly.
Find two ways to get out of each room. A secondary route might be a
window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from
upper story windows.
Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly,
and that security bars can be properly opened.

 Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and
your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of
your home quickly.
Find two ways to get out of each room. A secondary route might be a
window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from
upper story windows.
Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly,
and that security bars can be properly opened.
Make sure everyone in the family understands and practices how to
properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.

 Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and
your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of
your home quickly.
Find two ways to get out of each room. A secondary route might be a
window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from
upper story windows.
Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly,
and that security bars can be properly opened.
Make sure everyone in the family understands and practices how to
properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.
Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan.

During a Fire

When the smoke alarm sounds, get out fast. You may have only seconds
to escape safely.

During a Fire

When the smoke alarm sounds, get out fast. You may have only seconds
to escape safely.
Smoke is toxic. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under
the smoke to your way out.

During a Fire

When the smoke alarm sounds, get out fast. You may have only seconds
to escape safely.
Smoke is toxic. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under
the smoke to your way out.
Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, leave
the door closed and use your second way out.

During a Fire

When the smoke alarm sounds, get out fast. You may have only seconds
to escape safely.
Smoke is toxic. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under
the smoke to your way out.
Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, leave
the door closed and use your second way out.
If you open a door, open it slowly. Be ready to shut it quickly if heavy
smoke or fire is present.

During a Fire

When the smoke alarm sounds, get out fast. You may have only seconds
to escape safely.
Smoke is toxic. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under
the smoke to your way out.
Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, leave
the door closed and use your second way out.
If you open a door, open it slowly. Be ready to shut it quickly if heavy
smoke or fire is present.
Go to your outside meeting place and then call for help.

Information for this presentation was gathered from

the following sources:

National Fire Protection Association www.nfpa.org

American Red Cross www.redcross.org
Fire Engineering www.fireengineering.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov