Fire

EMMITSBURG, MD. - The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the release of a special report regarding fatal residential structure fires with working smoke alarms. From 2001-2004, 391 fatal residential structure fires with working smoke alarms were reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) resulting in 452 civilian fire fatalities.

"Each year an unacceptable number of American citizens lose their lives in residential structure fires where smoke alarms operated," said Acting USFA Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson. "USFA has investigated the characteristics of the victims of these fires to better educate the public in taking preventative measures to reduce the risks involved with such fires."

Alarms operated in 34 percent of fatal apartment fires and in 12 percent of fatal one- and two-family dwelling fires. Thirty-seven percent of the victims of fatal residential structure fires with working smoke alarms were sleeping at the time of their death. An additional 29 percent of victims were trying to escape the fire at the time of their fatal injury.

"We know the value that smoke alarms, escape plans, child fire prevention programs, and residential sprinklers can have on saving lives," said Dickinson. "We continue to encourage all residents of this nation to take the steps necessary to ensure their homes are fire safe today."

The report, Investigation of Fatal Residential Structure Fires with Operational Smoke Alarms, was developed by the USFA’s National Fire Data Center as part of its Topical Fire Research Series and is based on data from the NFIRS for 2001-2004. The report examines residential structure fires with fatalities where smoke alarms operated and addresses the characteristics of these fatalities.

A copy of this report and other reports in this series may be downloaded from the Topical Fire Research Series page.

Comment: It's National Fire Safety Week this week. It's a good idea to review fire drills and scenarios about "what if..." Talk to your children today.