There were 1.6 million fires that required public fire departments in 2005. (NFPA September 2006)
Around 4,000 Americans are killed annually, while another 20,000 are injured. (USFA 2006)
Over 1,500 people that die in residential fires are 50 years of age or older. Americans ages 65 and older, are 3 times more likely to die in a fire than the overall national average. This rate continues to rise after age 65. (FEMA 2004)
There are almost 600 kids that die each year (under age 14). This number averages out to be about 11 kids a week. (Safe Kids USA 2006)
Over 500 Americans are killed annually from unintentional CO poisoning. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Recent studies have shown that long term exposure to smaller, nonfatal amounts of carbon monoxide, can result in long term effects. This is called chronic carbon monoxide poisoning, the effects can last from days to even years depending on the individual.
- Physical symptoms: headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, numbness, tingling, vertigo.
- Cognitive / Memory Impairments: attention problems, multi-tasking problems, word-finding problems, short-term memory problems, verbal and/or visual deficits.
- Affective Disorders (emotional/personality effects): irritability, anxiety, lack of motivation, temper, loss of interest, sleep disturbance.
- Sensory and Motor Disorders: blurry vision, double vision, buzzing in the ears, decreased coordination, speaking, eating and swallowing disorders.
- Gross Neurological Disorders: seizures, inability to speak, balance problems, tremors.
Typically, these symptoms will disappear once the subject is removed from the exposure.
- Cooking equipment: 32%
- Heating equipment: 16%
- Intentional: 5%
- Candles: 4%
- Smoking materials: 4%
- Electrical distribution or lighting equipment: 3%
- Playing with heat source: 2% (NFPA 2005)
In the U.S., about 96% of homes have smoke detectors installed, but an estimated 20% of these are not functioning. (reported in "Home Smoke Alarms and Other Fire Detection and Alarm Equipment", a whitepaper by FireSafety.gov, April 2006)
There are around 29% of homes with Carbon Monoxide detectors in the U.S. (Home Safety Council, The State of Home Safety in America, 2004)
Only 42% of homes have fire extinguishers. (Packaged Facts U.S. Market for Household Safety and First Aid Care Products, 2005)
Every minute a fire burns, it doubles in size. (Fire Equipment Manufacturer's Association)
A fire can engulf an average residential home in less than 5 minutes from the time that fire starts. This means that you have less than 5 minutes to get you and your family to safety. ("Plan To Get Out Alive" family fire safety video - First Alert & WCBS New York)
There should at least be one fire extinguisher on every floor, and it is highly recommended to have one for every 1,500 sq. ft. as well. Extinguishers should always be easily visible. (NFPA 2007)
