NFPA Journal publishes article on large-loss fires

Findings from the soon-to-be released report Large-Loss Fires in the United States 2007 are featured in the latest issue of NFPA Journal, the official magazine of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Each year, NFPA publishes details on large-loss fires and explosions in the United States that each resulted in property damage of at least $5 million. There were 25 more large-loss fires in 2007 than in the previous year, accounting for an increase of more than 54 percent.

In 2007, 71 fires occurred that resulted in losses of $5 million or more, compared to 46 in 2006.  These fires accounted for less than one percent of the estimated number of fires in 2007, but accounted for 24 percent of the total estimated dollar loss from fires.

Other key findings from the report:

• Large-loss fires killed 19 civilians, injured 168 firefighters and 67 civilians.
• Large-loss fires resulted in $3.5 billion in direct property loss in 2007. (Total fire loss for 2007 was $14.6 billion.)
• Property loss from large-loss fires was up by almost $3 billion in 2007.
•  Most of the increase in dollar loss in 2007 is attributed to the Southern California Firestorm.
• The Southern California Firestorm was one of 20 fires that caused more than $20 million in property damage.  It was also one of five fires that resulted in a loss of more than $100 million.

NFPA Journal’s November/December issue also includes the following features:

Dust:  When a nuisance becomes deadly
Special Hazards Fire Investigation
Integrated Building Systems
Firefighter Injuries for 2007
 

 

Newburyport, MA – “Home fire season” starts now, and the Center for Campus Fire Safety  is working in conjunction with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to make this year’s cold months safer than last years – when there was a dramatic increase in home fire deaths. According to the USFA, during the “home fire season” of October 2007 to March 2008, there was a 68% increase in the number of fatal home fires and a 67% increase in the number of people killed in home fires, compared to the warmer months.

Not including arson-related deaths, from April 2007 through September 2007 at least 589 people were killed in home fires. When it became cooler, from October 2007 through March 2008, at least 982 people were killed in home fires.

Through its Smoking & Home Fires Campaign, the USFA wants to make this season safer, especially as it relates to the number one cause of preventable home fire deaths in the nation -- fires caused by smoking materials.

 “Every year, about 1,000 people are killed in smoking-related home fires,” says U.S. Fire Administrator Gregory B. Cade. “Smokers tend to smoke inside their homes more often because it’s cooler outside, so what’s important to remember is that smoking home fires can easily be prevented.” He added, “It just takes a few seconds to light up – and a few seconds to make sure that cigarette is really out.” 

“The Center is pleased to support the effort of the USFA and partner organizations with this campaign to prevent fires caused by the careless use and disposal of smoking materials. These are life-long lessons that we wish to instill on our campus population of students, faculty and staff,” said Amy Hamel, Executive Director of the Center for Campus Fire Safety. “Together, we can save lives.”

Smoke-related fires can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions. Smokers and those who live with smokers should ensure the following: 

• If you feel you must smoke, it’s better to smoke outside.
• Inside the home, use big ashtrays with a stable base. 
• Really put the cigarette out, don’t just tap it into the ashtray.
• It’s not a good idea to smoke if you are drowsy, and never smoke in bed.
• If people smoke while at your home, check for cigarette butts near the furniture and under sofa cushions before you call it a night.
• Douse butts and ashes with water before you toss them into the trash.
• If you or someone in your family smokes, Put It Out.  All the Way.  Every Time 

Launched in January 2008, the USFA’s Smoking & Home Fires Campaign is working in partnership with 17 national organizations to spread the message about fire safety including the:

1.    American Fire Sprinkler Association
2.    Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association International (BIFMA)
3.    Burn Foundation
4.    Center for Campus Fire Safety
5.    Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes
6.    Fire and Life Safety Section (part of IAFC)
7.    Florida Association of Fire and Life Safety Educators
8.    Home Safety Council
9.    International Association of Black Professional Firefighters
10.  International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
11.  National Association of Hispanic Firefighters
12.  National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
13.  National Fire Protection Association 
14.  National Volunteer Fire Council
15.  Polyurethane Foam Association
16.  Residential Fire Safety Institute
17.  SAFE KIDS

The free campaign materials include a CD Toolkit with English and Spanish posters, brochures, fact sheets, public service announcements, PowerPoint presentations, an engaging video of a smoking-home fire demonstration, and more. The USFA also has video and radio PSAs available. The materials are available online and can be ordered or downloaded by visiting www.usfa.dhs.gov/smoking. Fire departments and community organizations are encouraged to use these free materials.

The Center for campus Fire Safety is a non-profit organization based in Newburyport , Massachusetts and is dedicated to protecting life and property from fire at college and university campuses in the United States . 

If You Smoke, Put it Out.  All the Way.  EveryTime. 

 

With the onset of the holiday season, it is important to focus on fire safety and prevention. The celebration of the season brings with it increased usage of electric lights, decorations, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree, all of which can be potential fire hazards. Additionally, cooking fires increase during the holidays as families and friends gather to celebrate. By following general fire safety precautions, potential fires, deaths, and injuries remain preventable.

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Fire Prevention Week Survey shows nearly half of Americans planning to use alternative heating sources this winter

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 2, 2008 — The American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) today released results of a survey showing the majority (79%) of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes, and many will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter. The survey identified additional behaviors related to appliance maintenance and cooking that could also present home fire hazards this winter.

“As we head into, what by all accounts is likely to be a very costly heating season, these survey results and Fire Prevention Week provide a critical opportunity for us to remind people about the things they can do to prevent home fires and keep their families safe and warm this winter,” said NFPA President James. M. Shannon. “If people use alternative heat sources to reduce energy costs, it is critical they use devices that are new or in good working order, and they turn off units when they go to bed or leave the room.”

“We hope this survey will encourage more people to take the simple steps necessary to protect their families and homes from fire,” said Gail J. McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “Of the more than 74,000 disasters the American Red Cross responds to each year, approximately 93% are fire-related, but unlike natural disasters, most home fires can be prevented.”

Heating and Cooking Fires
According to NFPA reports, cooking and heating are the leading causes of home fires. The survey revealed the majority of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes (79%), and that 48% of households will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter. Alternative heating sources include portable space heaters, stoves, ovens and fireplaces. A third (36%) of people with fireplaces reported they never cleaned or inspected their chimneys. The survey also found 23% of respondents did not consider it essential to make sure someone is home when food is cooking on the stove.

Young Adults at Risk
Young adults, ages 18-24, were more likely than other respondents to state they will use the oven to keep the kitchen warm this winter (17% versus 7% for all households). Young adults were also less likely to take precautionary steps such as removing the lint from the dryer filter after every load (one in three do not remove the lint after every load).

Smoke Alarms and Fire Escape Plans
Respondents also revealed another unsafe behavior, which is disabling (37%) smoke alarms when they go off in a non-testing situation. More than half (53%) of the households surveyed have not taken any of three common actions in most home fire escape plans, which includes discussing with family members how to get out of the home, deciding on an outdoor meeting place and practicing the plan.

“On any given night in America , the Red Cross is out responding to hundreds of home fires, providing comfort, shelter and aid to help families pick up the pieces,” said Red Cross President McGovern. “That’s why the Red Cross is working during Fire Prevention Week, and each and every day, to help people prevent fires and stay safe in the event of a home fire.”

During the month of October, Red Cross chapters will distribute information, provide educational presentations and partner with first responders to share fire safety and prevention messages in communities across the country.

NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 85 years. Each year, NFPA selects an official theme to support the week which is celebrated each October. This year, Fire Prevention Week is October 5 – 11 and the theme is It’s Fire Prevention Week: Prevent Home Fires. NFPA creates official campaign materials as well as a Web site providing fire departments, families, kids and educators with information to implement a successful community-wide campaign. For more information, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.

NFPA and the American Red Cross offer these and other safety tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• Give space heaters space by keeping them at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

For additional fire safety tips, visit www.firepreventionweek.org or www.redcross.org/homefires.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Research findings from a telephone survey of 1,003 U.S. Adults 18 years and older on September 25-28, 2008 conducted by CARAVAN®.  Margin of error is +/- 3.1%t at the 95% confidence level.  If you report data from the survey, source it as orginating from American Red Cross/National Fire Protection Association 2008. A full data set can be accessed here.