FIRE SAFETY, STATISTICS, TIPS
Mustang Disaster CleanUp
Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Presho / Pierre, SD
Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Presho / Pierre, SD
Some things you may not know about smoke:
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Using the Best Fire Protection Systems
Best Fire Safety Tips
Summer Fire Safety Tips Help Prevent House Fires
Statistics to share
Based on 2006-2010 annual averages:
Causes and Circumstances of Home Candle Fires
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas. This is why it is always important to check all areas of your home. Window and exterior walls tend to be where you can find the most soot.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems and electrical outlets to get inside of walls and travel to other areas of your home.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the fire damage restoration process.
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Using the Best Fire Protection Systems
- Identify all of the fire escape routes in a home. Determine whether the home needs additional fire escapes or portable fire ladders added to any room in the house.
- Plan escape routes in case of a fire. Make sure everyone knows what to do in case of a fire, and consider doing some practice fire drills in the home, too.
- Smoke detectors and home fire alarms can help prevent injuries in case of a fire. Smoke detectors are inexpensive and sometimes available for free from the local fire department. Test smoke detectors and home fire alarms when changing the clocks in the spring and fall.
Best Fire Safety Tips
- Don’t leave items in the stove or on the range unattended while cooking. Keep flammable items including cleaners, solvents and paper or fabric away from the stove at all times.
- Extinguish candles when leaving a room. Don’t leave them burning, even if occupants will be gone “for just a minute.” Make sure candles are completely out when retiring for the evening.
- Never smoke in bed and be wary of vintage bedspreads, linens and carpets, which are often flammable. Don’t leave the room when a cigarette is burning. Prevent smoldering embers in ashtrays from setting fire by running water in the ashtray before throwing away the ashes.
Summer Fire Safety Tips Help Prevent House Fires
- Be aware of fire prevention rules when using fireworks. Keep a bucket of water and a hose at the ready in case they are needed. Exercise caution when lighting fireworks and make sure friends and family only watch the display from afar.
- Keep a careful watch on the barbecue. The National Fire Data Center estimates grills are the cause of more than 6,000 fires every year. Douse coals after use. Don’t overfill propane tanks. Keep all grills in open areas to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Statistics to share
Based on 2006-2010 annual averages:
- Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in home cooking fires.
- Two-thirds (67%) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
- Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but these incidents accounted for 16% of the cooking fire deaths.
- Ranges accounted for the largest share (58%) of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 16%.
- Three of every five (57%) reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves.
- Frying poses the greatest risk of fire.
- Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.
Causes and Circumstances of Home Candle Fires
- On average, 42 home candle fires are reported every day.
- More than half of all candle fires start when something that could burn, such as furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains, or decorations is too close to the candle.
- In one-fifth (20%) of candle fires, the candles are unattended or abandoned.
- Over one-third (36%) of home candle fires begin in the bedroom.
- Falling asleep is a factor in 12% of home candle fires and 36% of the associated deaths.
- December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 13% of home candle fires begin with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.
- One-half of home candle fire deaths occur between Midnight and 6 am.
- Young children and older adults have the highest death risk from candle fires.
- The risk of fatal candle fires appears higher when candles are used for light.
