General Fire Safety
House fires can double in size every minute, which is why we all need to be careful and educated when it comes to fire safety. Just a little bit of planning can make a big difference for your family.
The Hard Facts
In 2024, local fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 1.39 million fires. These fires resulted in 3,920 civilian deaths, 11,780 civilian injuries, and approximately $19 billion in direct property damage. More than 470,000 structure fires were reported nationwide.
Every 23 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States.
Every 96 seconds, a home structure fire is reported.
Every 45 minutes, a civilian suffers a fire-related injury.
Every 2 hours and 14 minutes, a civilian dies in a fire.
Top Tips
- Teach kids never to play with matches and lighters. Make a habit of placing these items up and away from young children.
- Working smoke alarms reduce the chances of dying in a fire by nearly 50%. They are our first line defense for any house fire. Please take the time to follow manufactures recommendations. Give them a vacuum every now and again, test them monthly and replace every 10 years.
- Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of your house in case of a fire. Get a stopwatch and time how fast your family can escape. The kids will love it.
- Children should know how to respond to the sound of a smoke alarm. Teach them to get low and get out, don’t stay in danger for pets or toys, never hide from fire or firefighters and make a “meeting place” outside your home to congregate during an emergency.
