Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are missing in two-thirds of deadly residential fires.

Nearly 4,000 people die each year in fires at home, according to a new study released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire Administration. The special report, Fatal Fires, is “alarming”, Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and FEMA Director, said.

“Residential structure fires, the very place people should feel the safest, unfortunately account for the vast majority of fatal fires,” said Brown. “What’s most worrisome is that in a full two-thirds of these fires, smoke alarms are missing or not working.” Smoke alarms, when present need to be tested frequently and batteries need replacing every six months.
If you didn’t change your batteries when you changed your clocks at Daylight Savings Time, make sure you do so immediately. Do some spring cleaning on your alarm at the same time to make sure it works when you need it most.

According to the FEMA report, structure fires accounted for 74 percent of the 3,300 fatal fires in 2002. Of these fatal structure fires, 94 percent occurred in residences. Arson was the leading cause of fatal residential structure fires at 22 percent, followed closely by smoking at 21 percent. There were 3,380 fire-related deaths in 2002, down slightly from other years. The report summarizes some of the major characteristics of fatal fires and is based on data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

“An unacceptable number of Americans are losing their lives and being injured by fires each year,” said U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. “We know that smoke alarms, escape plans, child fire prevention programs and residential sprinklers save lives. We continue to encourage everyone to take the steps necessary to ensure their homes are fire safe today.”

For a copy of the report, go to:
www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/reports/