More people die in fires started by carelessly discarded or abandoned smoking materials such as cigarette butts and cigarette ashes than any other type of residential fire. Fires caused by smoking materials often smolder, sometimes for hours before the first flame. For most people who died in residential smoking fires, escape was made more difficult because they were asleep. The most common materials to first ignite are mattresses and bedding, followed by trash and upholstered furniture.

The risk of dying in a residential fire caused by smoking materials increases with age.

Over 40% of fatal smoking material fire victims were age 65 or older, compared to their 13% share of the population.

Smokers are seven times more likely than nonsmokers to have a fire in their home.

If you are a smoker, take precautions to ensure the safety of you and your family.

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Candle Fire Safety

Candle fires are on the rise. While other causes for home fires have decreased, the percentage caused by candles has tripled in the past ten years.
These candle fires were preventable!

How does a little flame become so dangerous?

More than 33% of candle fires occured when the candles were left unattended or abandoned. Roughly 25% of the fires occured because something combustible such as curtains or paper was too close to the flame. Half the people killed by candle fires in the home were younger than 20, with most of the victims between the ages of 5 and 9.

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The preperation of the home cooked meal is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. Unattended cooking accounts for 33% of these fires. Other leading causes are placing combustible items too close to the heat source and various electrical defects.

There are a variety of situations that lead to unattended cooking fires. the most common is when the cook becomes distracted and leaves the kitchen. The most common distractions are attending to children, answering phone calls, watching television and answering doorbells.

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Hurricane Sandy has left thousands of New Jersey residents without power and home heating. Here are some safety tips you can use to KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE.

PORTABLE SPACE HEATERS

• The use of kerosene or propane space heaters is strictly prohibited and illegal to use in New York City.
• Kerosene and propane space heaters pose a high risk of death and injury, and generate carbon monoxide.
• Only use portable electric heaters that are certified and approved by a recognized testing lab, such as UL.
• Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from combustible materials, such as blankets, curtains and newspapers.
• Never leave portable heaters unattended, and never leave the house or go to bed without turning off the heater.

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