Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned.
The theme for Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, 2009 is “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned!” Cooking is the leading cause of residential structure fires and injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading factor contributing to cooking-related fires. In addition to a focus on cooking fires, during Fire Prevention Week 2009 an emphasis is placed on burn awareness and prevention and keeping homes and dorms fire safe.

Campus and Dorm Fires
The National Fire Protection Association reports that the number of fires in campus dormitories increased 34% between 1980 and 2006. In contrast, structure fires of all types declined 51% during the same period.

Facts and Figures: Dormitories

• In 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,570 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks. These fires caused an annual average of 7 civilian deaths, 54 civilian fire injuries, and $29.4 million in direct property damage.
• Between 2003-2006, cooking equipment was involved in 75% of the reported dormitory fires; this includes confined or contained fires.
• Structure fires in dormitories, fraternities and sororities are more common during the evening hours between 5-11 p.m., as well as on weekends.
• Only 5% of fires in these properties began in the bedroom, but these fires accounted for 62% of the deaths and one-quarter (26%) of the injuries.
• Smoking materials caused 2% of structure fires but resulted in 39% of the deaths
• 75% of the repoprted structure fires involved cooking equipment.

Source:NFPA

More information on Campus and Dorm fire safety . . .

General Fire Safety Tips

The U.S. Fire Administration offers some tips you can follow to stay fire smart:

• Take care while preparing meals . . . stay in the kitchen when frying, boiling, or broiling.
• If you smoke, put it out, all the way out, every time.
• Keep all flammables at least three feet away from space heaters . . . space heaters need space.
• Plan and practice your home or dorm fire escape plan.
• Make sure smoke alarms are in good working order.

More fire prevention information from the U.S. Fire Administration . . .

Kitchen Safety

Fires resulting from cooking continue to be the most common type of fire experienced by U.S. households. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of civilian fire injuries in residences. These fires are preventable by simply being more attentive to the use of cooking materials and equipment. More information on kitchen and cooking safety . . .

Smoking Safety

Every year almost 1,000 smokers and non-smokers are killed in home fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials. The U.S. Fire Administration is working to help prevent home fire deaths and injuries caused by smoking materials. Fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials are preventable. You can make a difference! More information on smoking safety . . .

Electrical Safety

Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits. More information on electrical fire safety . . .

Heating Safety

Space Heaters
The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires every year are associated with the use of space heaters, causing more than 300 deaths. An estimated 6,000 persons receive hospital emergency room care for burn injuries associated with contacting hot surfaces of room heaters, mostly in non-fire situations.

Safety must be a top consideration when using space heaters. Space heaters carry a much greater risk of causing a fire than central heating, such as furnaces. Space heaters present a greater potential for human error such as leaving them too close to combustible materials or failing to install, fuel, operate and maintain them properly. (Source: Harvard University) As a reminder, UAHuntsville does not allow personal space heaters in campus buildings. More information on space heater safety . . .

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating with wood and solid fuels.

Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safety and efficiently.

The U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to practice the following fire safe steps to keep those home fires safely burning. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility…..Fire Stops with YOU!

Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean

• Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces. Leave glass doors open while burning a fire.
• Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
• Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
• Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.

More information on heating safety . . .