Even though Christmas tree fires are infrequent, when they occur, they can be dangerous and costly. These fires cause an annual average of 6 civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $16.2 million in property damage
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 200 home fires each year start with a Christmas tree. Knowing these holiday safety steps can prevent a fire.
Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely
When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly. This easy-to-follow tip sheet teaches the importance of smoke alarms and provides actionable tips and important facts that can help save lives.
Following recommended home heating safety measures during the colder months is essential to protect both your home and your family. As temperatures drop, the risk of heating-related fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other hazards increases significantly. Proper use and maintenance of heating equipment such as furnaces, space heaters, and fireplaces help ensure they operate efficiently and safely.
Simple actions like keeping flammable materials away from heat sources, having chimneys and vents inspected, and using only approved heating devices can prevent dangerous situations. Taking these precautions not only keeps your home warm and comfortable but also provides peace of mind knowing you’re reducing the risk of preventable emergencies.
While the convenience of the microwave oven is something we take for granted, safety should not be. By following a few simple safety tips you can prevent painful burns and possible fires.
It's important that residents follow product instructions when using, storing or disposing of home hazardous materials to prevent fires and unintentional poisoning.
As we change the clocks, now is a great reminder to check your smoke alarm and CO detector batteries. Also, it is recommended to replace smoke alarms every 10 years to make sure they work properly.
Smoke alarms were present in three-quarters (74 percent) of the reported home fires from 2018 to 2022. Nearly three out of five (59 percent) home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms (43 percent) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16 percent).
The death rate per 1,000 home structure fires is approximately 60 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that operated.
Of the fire fatalities that occurred in homes with working smoke alarms, 28 percent occurred when the alarm failed to alert occupants and 9 percent occurred when the occupants were alerted but failed to respond.
Civilians who were fatally injured in homes with working smoke alarms were more likely to have been in the area of origin and involved in the ignition (37 percent). Most victims were escaping (32 percent), sleeping (29 percent), or unable to act (15 percent) at the time of injury.
Hardwired smoke alarms (with or without battery backup) were found in 50 percent of the reported home fires in properties with smoke alarms; smoke alarms powered by battery were only found in 44 percent of such fires.
Nearly two-thirds (66 percent) of the fatal injuries from fires in homes with smoke alarms occurred in properties with battery-only powered alarms. When present, hardwired smoke alarms operated in 94 percent of the fires considered large enough to trigger a smoke alarm. Battery-only alarms operated 85 percent of the time. Missing or non-functional power sources, including missing or disconnected batteries, dead batteries, and disconnected hardwired alarms, were the most common factors when smoke alarms failed to operate.
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