Plainfield Fire Department - Facts On Fire

• The U.S. has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. For 2009, 3,010 civilians lost their lives due to fire related injuries, and fires caused $12.5 billion in property damage.
  
• Between 2003 and 2009, an average of 2,840 Americans lost their lives and another 13,160 were injured annually as the result of Home Structure Fires..
  
• Each year, fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined.
  
• At least 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in residences.
  
• Between 2003 and 2009, an average of 380,000 home structure fires were reported each year. 
  
• In 2009, 82 firefighters lost their lives.

Where Fires Occur

There were 1,348,500 fires in the United States in 2009. Of these:

• 48% were Outside Fires
  
• 36% were Structure Fires
  
• 16% were Vehicle Fires
  
• Residential fires represent 23 percent of all fires and 76 percent of structure fires.
  

Fires in 1-2 family dwellings most often start in the:

• Kitchen 41%
  
• Bedroom 8%
  
• Living Room 4%
  
• Chimney 6%
  
  

FACTS ON FIRE

• Alternative Heater Safety
• Appliance Safety
• Careless Smoking
• Children and Fire
• Cooking Fires
• Escape Planning
• Generator Safety
• Holiday Fire Safety
• Home Fire Sprinklers
• Manufactured Home Safety
• Prevent Bedroom Fires
• Rural Fire Safety
• Seniors and Smoke
• Smoke Alarms
• Winter Fires

Causes of Fires and Fire Deaths

• Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of home fire injuries. Cooking fires often result from unattended cooking and human error, rather than mechanical failure of stoves or ovens.
  
• Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoke alarms and smolder-resistant bedding and upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents.
  
• Arson is both the second leading cause of residential fires and residential fire deaths. In commercial properties, arson is the major cause of deaths, injuries and dollar loss.
  
• Heating is the third leading cause of residential fires. Heating fires are a larger problem in single family homes than in apartments. Unlike apartments, the heating systems in single family homes are often not professionally maintained.

For more information:

Home Fire Facts from the National Fire Protection Association
Fire Loss Facts from the National Fire Protection Association