Important Fire Facts

• Most fire fatalities and injuries in the U.S. occur in the victim's own home.

• Two-thirds of all home-fire victims die of smoke inhalation, poisonous gases or lack of oxygen; not severe burns.

• Cooking is the leading cause of all residential fires and fire injuries.
  Heating equipment is the second leading cause of residential fires.

• More that 40% of fatal home cooking fires occur while the victims are asleep.

• Careless use of smoking materials is the leading cause of residential fires that result in death.

Survival Tips

• Make sure your family has an escape plan. Contact the Fire Prevention office of your neighborhood fire station for more information on developing a plan.

• Sleep with the bedroom door closed. Closed doors provide protection against heat and smoke.

• Teach everyone in your household to recognize the sound of your smoke alarm.

• Test doors before opening them. You can easily be overcome by heat, smoke or flames when you open a door to an area where a fire has spread.

• Use windows as alternate exits.

• Crawl low under smoke. During a fire, super-heated air and toxic gases fill the room from the top down. This leaves a “safety zone” of breathable air about 12 to 24 inches above the floor.

• Call 9-1-1. Unless you are trapped inside, it's too dangerous to call from a burning home. Once you have escaped and reported to your meeting place, call 9-1-1 on a neighbor's telephone.

• If your clothes catch on fire: Stop, Drop and Roll!

• Learn Not To Burn! Fire Smart Equals Fire Safe!!!

• Fire destroys more property and claims more lives annually than any natural disaster. It is also the most preventable disaster.

• Please help us reduce the senseless loss of property and lives in our community by making a conscious effort to maintain a home free of fire hazards. Share this information with relatives and friends. Remember that fire prevention begins with education.

Should you have any questions regarding fire safety or want more information on any of these topics, please call our Fire Prevention Division at 731.425.8350 or e-mail us at [email protected].

National Organization Links