Novelty lighters in the hands of children are a deadly and emerging threat to life and property nationwide. Children are attracted to these lighters because they look like toys, complete with visual effects, flashing lights, and musical sounds.

Mistaking lighters for toys has proven to be dangerous as novelty lighters are responsible for injuries, deaths and accidents across the Nation. State and local governments are taking action by banning the sale of novelty lighters and limiting their distribution.

It is critical to focus public attention on the dangers of these toylike devices. For this reason, the theme for National Arson Awareness Week (May 4-10, 2008) is Toylike Lighters – Playing with Fire.

For more information on novelty and toylike lighters, please visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/.

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security's United States Fire Administration (USFA) today issued a report, part of its Topical Fire Report Series [ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/reports/tfrs_issue_index.shtm ], examining the causes and characteristics of civilian fire injuries occurring in residential buildings. Nearly three-quarters of all civilian fire injuries occur in the home. In 2005, there were an estimated 13,375 civilian fire injuries resulting from an estimated 376,500 residential building fires.

Thirty-nine percent of residential building fire injuries occurred while victims were trying to control the fire. An additional 23 percent of civilians were injured when trying to escape; another 11 percent happened while victims were sleeping.

"Most civilian fire injuries are preventable," said United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "If a fire occurs in your home, it is important to exit your home quickly and leave firefighting to professional firefighters. By establishing and practicing a home fire escape plan, you can help reduce the chances of fire injury or even death if a fire were to occur in your home."

The report, Civilian Fire Injuries in Residential Buildings in 2005 [ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/tfrs/v8i3.pdf ] (PDF, 480 Kb), was developed by the National Fire Data Center , part of USFA. The report is based on 2005 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

The short topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context.

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security's United States Fire Administration (USFA) has issued three special reports as part of its Topical Fire Report Series, examining the risk of death or injury from fire by various demographic, geographic, and socio-economic characteristics.

"Because of limited cognitive and physical abilities, very young children and older adults face a greater risk of dying in a fire," said United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "The U.S. Fire Administration has developed fire safety campaigns targeted at high risk groups. These campaigns provide awareness to parents and caregivers and aid in reducing the risk of fire death and injury."