The Stats
In 2016:
The Breakdown
Leading Causes of Home Structure Fires 2011-2015
Cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home.
Heating equipment includes space heaters and wood stoves.
Electrical fires were started by wiring, switches, outlets, cords, plugs, and lighting.
The Prevention
Smoke detectors:
3 out of 5 home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (38%) or no working smoke alarms (21%).
Prices run from $15 for battery-operated to $100 for hard-wired alarms.
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, in hallways and on each level of your home.
Sprinklers:
The fatality rate is 81% lower in homes with sprinklers that experienced a fire.
The median cost to retrofit a home with sprinklers in 2013 was $5,000.
Fire Extinguishers:
Have at least 1 extinguisher in the kitchen and 1 in the garage.
Usually last 5-15 years.
Available at big box stores or your local hardware store for $20-$150+.
The Plan
Steps for safely escaping from a house fire:
Plan your escape routes.
Practice, practice, practice.
Feel door handles with the back of your hand to see if they are hot. If they are, try to find another way out.
If you’re near a window, throw or hang something outside to let the fire department know you’re in there.
Stay low to the ground, where the air is clearer.
Gather at a pre-planned meeting point across the street or at your neighbor’s home.
The more you practice, the more likely you are to remember what to do–even under the extreme pressure and fear that a fire can cause.
Stay Safe!
*We are not an insurance company. Consult your insurance agent for information about your insurance policy.
Sources:
National Fire Protection Association, Home Fires, June 2018.
National Fire Protection Association, Fire Loss Fact Sheet, December 2017.
National Fire Protection Association, Smoke Alarms in US Home Fires.
National Fire Protection Association, Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment, September 2013.
