FIRE SAFETY
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
In 1999 3,570 Americans were killed and another 21,875 were injured as a result of fire.
EIGHTY TWO PERCENT of all fire deaths occured in the home.
Direct property loss due to fires was estimated at $10 BILLION.
Smoke is responsible for SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT of fire deaths.
Approximately 1,000 of all fire deaths occur in children younger than 15.
Data from 1996 indicates that THIRTY THREE PERCENT of residential fires that resulted in death were caused by cigarettes.
SAFETY & PREVENTION TIPS
- Keep smoke detectors on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas.
- Change the batteries at least once a year and test the smoke detector at least once a month.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy; best places to mount are the kitchen, garage, or workshop.
- Prepare a floor plan of your home with at least two exits out of every room.
- Sleep with the bedroom door closed.
- If you own a fireplace use a screen to prevent sparks from flying.
- Never store newspapers, wooden objects, flamable items, rugs, or matches near the fireplace.
- Don't leave space heaters operating when you're not in the room and keep anything flamable at least 3 feet away from the unit.
- Never overload a socket.
- Never pour water on a grease fire.
- Wear tight-fitting clothing while cooking.
USEFUL WEBSITES
U.S. Fire Administration
Kids Fire Safety
Firewise
RELATED ARTICLES
- DiGuiseppi C, Roberts I, Li L. Smoke Alarm Ownership and House Fire Death Rates in Children. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 1998; 52(11): 760-1.
- Warda L, Tenenbein M, Moffatt ME. House Fire Injury Prevention Update. Part I. A Review of Risk Factors for Fatal and Non-Fatal House Fire Injury. Injury Prevention 1999; 5(2): 145-50.
- Warda L, Tenenbein M, Moffatt ME. House Fire Injury Prevention Update. Part II. A Review of Effectiveness of Preventive Interventions. Injury Prevention 1999; 5(3): 217-25.
- McGwin G Jr, Chapman V, Curtis J, Rousculp M. Fire Fatalities in Older People. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 1999; 47(11): 1307-11.
- Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention. Reducing the Number of Deaths and Injuries From Residential Fires. Pediatrics 2000; 105(6): 1355-7.
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- Mail Code L604
- Oregon Health & Science University
- 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
- Portland, Oregon 97239-3098
- Phone: (503) 494-8882
- Fax: (503) 494-4357
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