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According
to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the
United States has one of the highest fire death and injury rates
in the world. Fire--in the form of flames and smoke--is the
second leading cause of accidental death in the home.
More than 4,000 people die each year in home fires. Every year,
there are more than 500,000 residential fires serious enough to
be reported to fire departments. More than 90 percent of
residential fire deaths and injuries result from fires in one
and two family houses and apartments. Property losses exceed 4
billion dollars annually, and the long term emotional damage to
victims and their loved ones is incalculable.
Supplemental Home Heating
The use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood and coal
burning stoves, kerosene heaters, gas space heaters and
electrical heaters, has decreased, along with the number of
residential fires. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that
more than 100,000 residential fires still occur annually due to
the use of these heaters, or about 22 percent of all residential
fires. These fires kill more than 600 people annually. They also
contribute to thousands of contact burn injuries and hundreds of
carbon monoxide poisonings.
Cigarette Smokers
Cigarette lighters and matches account for hundreds of fire
deaths each year. Many of the victims are children. Never use
matches or cigarette lighters as a form of entertainment for
children. Kids are inherently curious and will find a way to
"play" with your lighter or matches when you least
expect it. Understand that children as young as two years old
are capable of lighting cigarette lighters and matches.
As a smoker, be certain that you do not smoke in bed. Falling
asleep with a lit cigarette over your flammable sheets will
provide you with a quick wake-up call at best, and possibly a
one-way ticket to the morgue at its worst. Don't toy with
something as serious as a home fire. You could put your own life
and those of brave firefighters at risk for no good reason.
Lastly, always check to see that cigarettes are completely
extinguished before emptying ashtrays. Stubs that are still
burning can ignite trash. If you have a garbage disposal
attached to your kitchen sink, the safest way to dispose of
cigarette ashes is to wash them into the garbage disposal
system.
Christmas Trees
A Christmas tree fire does not make for a very merry Christmas.
Consider protecting your family by spraying your live Christmas
tree with a fire retardant spray. Each year there is over $15
million in damages due directly to Christmas trees catching on
fire, not to mention the deaths that also occur. This is
completely avoidable!
Early Warning
If a fire does start, your survival may very well depend on
being warned as early as possible and having an escape plan. You
should have a minimum of one functioning smoke alarm on each
level of your home, placed on the ceiling or on the wall no more
than 6 to 12 inches away from the ceiling. Test your smoke
detectors on a regular basis according to the manufacturer's
instructions and replace the batteries at least annually.
Never, ever, disconnect the batteries. If your smoke detector
has too many nuisance alarms, e.g., from cooking, then consider
relocating the smoke detector further away from the stove to
avoid unnecessary alarms. Always keep your smoke detectors in
proper operating condition with fresh batteries and clean
surfaces. Excessive dust, grease or other material in a smoke
detector can cause it to operate abnormally. Vacuum the grill
work of your smoke detectors and occasionally wipe the surface
with a damp soapy rag to keep it free of debris.
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