PRINTER FRIENDLYFires and Burns
The best way to protect the people and things that you care about from fire is to prevent 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, and 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 at least twice each year. For more on fire drill plans click here.
National Fire Facts: Some of these might surprise you!
- On average in the United States in 2009, someone died in a fire about every 175 minutes, and someone was injured every 31 minutes.
- About 85% of U.S. fire deaths in 2009 occurred in homes.
- In 2009, fire departments responded to 377,000 home fires, which claimed the lives of 2,7565 people (not including firefighters) and injured another 13,050.
- 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
Sourcs: 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:
- Fire and Burn Prevention Brochure
- 5-Minute Safety Talk - Burn Prevention
- Burn Prevention Presentation | If you would like the PowerPoint version of thie presentation please e-mail kallen@utahsafetycouncil.org.
- A Parents' Checklist: Fire Safety
- Burn Prevention Quiz
- Prevent Childhood Burns
- First Aid for Burns
- Fire Hazard Prevention
- Facts about Home Fire Sprinklers
- Home Appliance Safety
- Home Heating Tips
- Preventing Kitchen Fires - Paycheck Stuffer
- Types of Burns: Signs and Treatment
Additional Resources:
Request FREE Take Safety Home Resource materials. These materials are a valuable addition to any safety meeting or employee safety fair and something that employees can take home and share with family members.
