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Fires and Burns

The best way to protect the people and things that you care about from fire is to stop the fire in the first place. There are some simple ways you can prevent a fire from starting. In Utah, most fires occur while cooking, also causing the most fire-related injuries. Candles, heating, children using matches and lighters are the most common causes of fires and fire-related injuries and deaths as well.

Make a plan to get out of your home, school and workplace in case of a fire. Practice your plan twice each year. For more on fire drill plans, see Planning a Home Fire Drill. (http://publicsafety.utah.gov/firemarshal/HomeFireDrill.html)

National Fire Facts: Some of these might surprise you!

On average in the United States in 2008, someone died in a fire about every 158 minutes, and someone was injured every 31 minutes.
Four out of five U.S. fire deaths in 2008 occurred in homes.
In 2008, fire departments responded to 403,000 home fires, which claimed the lives of 2,755 people (not including firefighters) and injured another 13,560.
Most victims of fires die from smoke or toxic gases and not from burns.
Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related deaths.
Alcohol use contributes to an estimated 40 percent of residential fire deaths.
Cooking is the primary cause of residential fires.
Approximately 4 out of 10 home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms.
Most residential fires occur during the winter months.

National Costs: Injuries sustained in a fire cost about $7.5 billion each year in the United States.

Groups at increased risk of fire-related injuries and deaths include:

Children 4 and under
Older Adults ages 65 and older
The poorest Americans
Persons living in rural areas
Persons living in manufactured homes or substandard housing

Sources:
Karter MJ. Fire loss in the United States during 2008,.
Quincy (MA): National Fire Protection Association, Fire Analysis and Research Division; 2009.

Safety Fact Sheets

Take Safety Home and prevent fires in your home with these resources:

Additional Resources:
http://publicsafety.utah.gov/firemarshal/firesafety.html

	Promoting Health and Protecting Life	Fall Prevention \| Poison Prevention \| Fires and Burns \| Choking and Suffocation \| Drowning Prevention & Water Safety \| Supporters of Safety \| General Home Safety Resources PRINTER FRIENDLY Fires and Burns The best way to protect the people and things that you care about from fire is to stop the fire in the first place. There are some simple ways you can prevent a fire from starting. In Utah, most fires occur while cooking, also causing the most fire-related injuries. Candles, heating, children using matches and lighters are the most common causes of fires and fire-related injuries and deaths as well. Make a plan to get out of your home, school and workplace in case of a fire. Practice your plan twice each year. For more on fire drill plans, see Planning a Home Fire Drill. (http://publicsafety.utah.gov/firemarshal/HomeFireDrill.html) National Fire Facts: Some of these might surprise you! On average in the United States in 2008, someone died in a fire about every 158 minutes, and someone was injured every 31 minutes. Four out of five U.S. fire deaths in 2008 occurred in homes. In 2008, fire departments responded to 403,000 home fires, which claimed the lives of 2,755 people (not including firefighters) and injured another 13,560. Most victims of fires die from smoke or toxic gases and not from burns. Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related deaths. Alcohol use contributes to an estimated 40 percent of residential fire deaths. Cooking is the primary cause of residential fires. Approximately 4 out of 10 home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms. Most residential fires occur during the winter months. National Costs: Injuries sustained in a fire cost about $7.5 billion each year in the United States. Groups at increased risk of fire-related injuries and deaths include: Children 4 and under Older Adults ages 65 and older The poorest Americans Persons living in rural areas Persons living in manufactured homes or substandard housing Sources: Karter MJ. Fire loss in the United States during 2008,. Quincy (MA): National Fire Protection Association, Fire Analysis and Research Division; 2009. Safety Fact Sheets Take Safety Home and prevent fires in your home with these resources: A Parents' Checklist: Fire Safety Prevent Childhood Burns First Aid for Burns Fire Hazard Prevention Facts about Home Fire Sprinklers Home Appliance Safety Additional Resources: http://publicsafety.utah.gov/firemarshal/firesafety.html
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