Fires In Residences Eliminated

F.I.R.E.

Bureau of Injury Prevention

New York State
Department of Health
(NYSDOH)
 Presentation Objectives
• Discuss the leading causes and toll of residential
fires in the US and NYS

• Review evidence-based and promising strategies to

reduce the number of fire-related deaths and
injuries

• Discuss the role of public health in promoting fire

safety

• Empower New Yorkers to ensure that their homes

and families are fire-safe
 Presentation Outline:
Ten Take Home Messages

1. Public Health Issue

2. Vulnerable Populations

3. Children

4. Prevention

5. Smoke Alarms
 Presentation Outline:
Ten Take Home Messages

6. Escape Plan

7. Fire Sprinklers

8. Media

9. Internet resources

10. Collaboration
Residential Fires are a
Public Health Issue
 Toll of Residential Fires in the
United States (US) (2008)

Number of Civilian Civilian Property

Fires Deaths Injuries Loss

United
States 403,000 2,755 13,560 $8.5 Billion

Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

 Leading Causes of Residential Fires in
the US (2003-2006 Annual Average)

Cooking Equipment
160,000
140,000 Smoking Materials

120,000 Heating Equipment

100,000 Electrical/Lighting
80,000 Intentionally Set Fires
60,000 Candles
40,000
Playing with Heat Source
20,000
Clothes Washers/Dryers
0
Cause of Fire Exposure to Other Fires

Source: NFPA
Leading Causes of Civilian Residential Fire-Related
Deaths and Injuries in the US
(2003-2006 Annual Average)
Cooking Equipment
5000
Smoking Materials
4500 Heating Equipment
4000 Electrical/Lighting
3500 Intentionally Set Fires
3000 Candles
Playing with Heat Source
2500
Clothes Washers/Dryers
2000 Exposure to Other Fires
1500
1000
500
0
Deaths Injuries

Source: NFPA
 Residential Fires
Disproportionately Impact
Vulnerable Populations
Vulnerable Populations
Vulnerable Populations
 Children Must be Taught to
Respect Fire Danger and Practice
Fire Safety Behaviors
 Sample Resources for Teaching
Children About Fire Safety

Sparky the Fire Dog

Go to this site
Click on: Activities
Click on: Coloring Pages
Fire Safety.gov for Kids
Go to this site
Click on: Home Fire Safety
Click on: Hazard House
Residential Fires and Associated
Deaths and Injuries are
Preventable
Fire Prevention Through the Promulgation of
Regulations and Standards

 Flammability  Child-resistant lighters

standards for:  Electrical appliances
– Fabrics (UL)
– Children’s sleepwear
 Uniform building codes
 Ignition resistant – Electrical standards
standards for: – Smoke alarms
– Mattresses – Residential sprinklers
– Household materials
 Low ignition cigarettes
Fire Prevention: Increasing Individual
Awareness and Responsibility

 Errors

 Inattention

 Ignorance

 Alcohol impairment

 Inaccurate perception of fire risk

 Lack of appreciation for societal cost of fires

Functioning Smoke Alarms are
Highly Effective in Preventing
Fire-related Deaths
 Smoke Alarm Effectiveness

– 70% of home fire

deaths occur in
homes with no
smoke alarms or no
working smoke
alarms.

– A $33 smoke alarm

produces $940 in
benefits to society.
Know Your Smoke Alarm ABC’s

Alarm

Battery

Cleaning and Maintenance

 Alarm Features

 Sensors (photoelectric, ionization,

combination)
 Interconnected (wireless or electric with
battery back-up)
 Test button and remote tester
 United Laboratories (UL) symbol
Smoke Alarm Sensor Technology
 Ionization technology
– Generally more effective at sensing small smoke particles,
which tend to be produced in greater amounts by hot,
flaming fires
– May consume combustible materials rapidly and spread
quickly
 Photoelectric technology
– Generally more effective at sensing large smoke particles,
which tend to be produced in greater amounts by
smoldering fires
– May smolder for hours before bursting into flame
Specialty Smoke Alarms
 Battery-related Terminology

 10-year (Long-Life Lithium) battery

 Tamper-resistant
 Tamper-proof
 Battery replacement
 Low battery indicator
Cleaning and Maintenance

 Remove dust and debris regularly from outside

of alarm
– Gently clean using vacuum cleaner attachment
– Do not use water, cleaner or solvent

 Perform other maintenance recommended by

manufacturer

 Replace alarm at least every 10 years

Where Should Smoke Alarms be
Located in Your Home?
Residential Smoke Alarm Placement
 Smoke Alarm Report Card

 96% of all homes in the US have at least one

smoke alarm.

 However…

– Only 75% of all US homes have at least one

WORKING smoke alarm.

– Smoke alarms sounded in only 50% of the home fires

reported in the US from 2000-2004.
 The Best Alarm Combination Early
Warning Home Protection System

The combination of photoelectric and

ionization smoke alarms, in conjunction with
carbon monoxide detectors, located in the
proper locations, provide optimal protection
to your family.  
Residential Carbon Monoxide
Detector Placement
 Fire Escape Planning and Practice
Prepare Residents to Quickly and Safely
Exit During Home Fires
 Home Fire Escape
Planning and Practice
Important Considerations for Developing
and Practicing a Home Fire Escape Plan
 Is it Safe to Fight a Residential Fire?

 37% of US residential
fire injuries occur among
individuals who fight the
fire.

 A small flame can

become a major fire in
less than 30 seconds.

 The FIRST priority in a

fire is to safely escape.
 Don’t Fight a Residential Fire…
 Until all building occupants have safely exited
 Until you have notified the fire department
 If you don’t know what is burning
 If you might inhale toxic smoke
 If the fire is already spreading quickly
 If you cannot position yourself with an exit or means
of escape at your back
 If you don’t have adequate or appropriate equipment
 If your instincts tell you not to fight it
Home Fire Sprinklers Quickly
Detect, Contain,
and Extinguish Fires
Residential Fire Sprinklers

Video on Residential Fire Sprinklers

 
 The Media is a Valuable Communication
Tool to Increase Public Awareness of Fire
Safety and Prevention Measures
Tool for Guiding Media Interactions
Related to Residential Fires

Fire Spokesperson’s
Pocket Media Guide
 The Internet Provides Free, Up-to-
Date, and Extensive Fire Safety
Resources from Reputable Sources
Sample Internet Sites with Reliable

Fire Safety Information

Office of Fire Prevention and Control

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

FireSafety.gov

National Fire Protection Association

United States Fire Administration

Public Health Professionals can Most
Effectively Promote Fire Safety by
Collaborating with
Local Fire Safety Officials
 Smoke Alarms Installation
Programs

NFPA’s Planning and Implementing a

Successful Smoke Alarm Installation
Program
 What Should I Do Next?

 Make sure your own residence and family

are fire-safe

 Obtain additional training

and education
Questions?