Home Fire Safety

  • Published
  • By Michael Newbury Jr.
  • 325th Civil Engineer Squadron
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission the U.S. 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 annually, and the long term emotional damage to victims and their loved ones is incalculable.

Needless to say, your interest in protecting your home from fire should be a top priority: and if you smoke in or around your home, you should know that fires associated with smoking materials are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. Non-smokers should beware too, as one out of four fatal victims of smoking material fires is not the smoker whose cigarette started the fire.

If you do smoke, be sure to follow the tips below:

- Smoke outside, most smoking material fire deaths result from fires started in the living room or bedroom.
- Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches and other smoking materials up high out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet.
- Use a deep sturdy ashtray or listed receptacle. Place it away from anything that can burn.
- Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, leaves or other things that could ignite easily.
- Before you throw away butts and ashes, make sure they are out, and dousing in water or sand is the best way to do that.
- Never smoke in bed.

For more information regarding smoking or home fire safety, please contact Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services at (850) 283-2909 or email fire.prevention@tyndall.af.mil.