Notice to Readers
National Fire Prevention Week -- October 5-11, 1997
October 5-11 is National Fire Prevention Week. In the United
States, a national health objective for 2000 is to reduce
residential fire-related deaths to no more than 1.2 per 100,000
persons (objective 9.6) (1). In 1995, the United States had the
highest death rate from fires of all developed countries (1.7 per
100,000 persons). During 1995 (the most recent year for which data
are available), residential fires accounted for 3640 deaths and
18,650 injuries (2; CDC, unpublished data, 1995). Persons at
highest risk were less likely to reside in homes equipped with
functional smoke detector units (e.g., residents of manufactured
homes and rental properties, low income and elderly persons, and
children aged less than 5 years).
Most residential fires are caused by cooking or heating
equipment, spontaneous combustion, or conditions suggesting arson.
However, residential fires in which a death occurs are often caused
by smoking, heating equipment, or conditions suggesting arson.
Rates for fire-related death are highest in southern states, where
use of wood-burning stoves and portable space heaters is
widespread. In addition, these devices often are improperly placed
and/or left unattended.
Although equipping homes with smoke detectors and adhering to
basic fire-safety practices are the best deterrents to residential
fires, many persons do not take these precautions. In 1995, an
estimated 93% of U.S. homes were equipped with a smoke detector,
but only 74% of homes had a smoke detector unit that was functional
(3,4). The annual number of residential fire-related deaths could
be reduced if all homes were equipped with sufficient functional
smoke detector units.
Deaths and injuries from residential fires can be prevented by
installing a smoke detector on each habitable floor and one
outside each bedroom; 2) replacing batteries in smoke detectors at
least once a year; 3) designing and practicing a fire escape plan
to ensure that exit from the home is quick and safe; 4) limiting
use of heating devices (e.g., space heaters and wood-burning
stoves) and, if using a heating device, carefully following
manufacturer's operating guidelines; 5) keeping matches and
lighters out of children's reach; and 6) not smoking.
Additional information about residential fire prevention is
available from CDC's Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention,
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, telephone (770)
488-4652.
References
Public Health Service. Healthy people 2000: national health
promotion and disease prevention objectives -- full report, with
commentary. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human
Services, Public Health Service, 1991; DHHS publication no.
(PHS)91-50212.
Karter MJ Jr. Fire loss in the United States during 1995.
Quincy, Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association,
1996.
Hall JR. U.S. experience with smoke detectors. Quincy,
Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association, 1996.
Smith CL. Smoke Detector Operability Survey: report on findings.
Bethesda, Maryland: US Consumer Products Safety Commission,
National Smoke Detector Project, 1994.
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