Each year on average 18,300 Americans are injured, and more than 3,500 die in fires, with children age 14 and under making up 10-15 percent of all fire deaths.  National Burn Awareness Week is traditionally observed the first full week in February, and according to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, it’s the perfect calendar observance to focus on preventing fires and protecting children.

“Children under the age of 5 account for fifty-two percent of all child fire deaths, and home fires tend to spike in winter months, placing younger children and toddlers at even greater risk,” said Murphy.  “Many children are unable to escape from fire on their own, and I encourage parents and caregivers to use National Burn Awareness Week as an opportunity to take actions that keep their loved ones, and particularly children, safe from fire and burn hazards.”

Top tips to avoid fire and keep kids safe around the house include:

• Keep children at least 3 feet from hot stoves and cooking appliances. When cooking, use back burners with pot handles turned towards the back of the stove.
• Have fireplace flues and chimneys inspected for leakage and blockage from creosote or debris.
• Open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. Store ashes in fire-resistant containers; cover the container with a lid, and dispose of ashes carefully.
• Place space heaters on a floor that is flat and level—Do NOT put space heaters on rugs or carpets. Keep space heaters at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture and other flammable materials and place them out of the flow of foot traffic. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
• Always tuck cords from appliances where children cannot reach them.
• Install smoke alarms on every level in your home, and inside and outside sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarms each month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

Excellent online resources for fire prevention education materials and protecting children from fire and burns include:http://go.usa.gov/rfF; www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/; www.safekids.org; . Learn about FEMA’s Children’s Working Group (CWG) at www.fema.gov/about/cwg.shtm.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

If you talk about safety 24/7, here is an article to share with your employees.

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 380,000 home structure fires per year during 2003-2007.

These fires caused an annual average of

• 2,840 civilian fire deaths,
• 13,160 civilian fire injuries, and
• $6.4 billion in direct damage.
• 92% of all structure fire deaths resulted from home fires.
• On average, eight people died in U.S. home fires every day.

Causes and Circumstances of Home Fires

Details from the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System show that in 2003-2007:

• Cooking equipment was the leading cause of home structure fires

and home fire injuries.

• Smoking was the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths. Heating

equipment ranked second in home fire deaths overall, but was the

leading cause of fire deaths in one- or two-family homes

Almost all homes have at least one smoke alarm, but almost two-thirds of reported home fire deaths in 2003-2007 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Kitchens were the leading area of fire origin.

Ø      41% of home structure fires started in the kitchen. These fires

caused 36% of civilian home fire injuries.

Ø      15% of home fire deaths also resulted from kitchen fires.

Ø      8% of reported home fires started in the bedroom. These fires

caused

Ø      24% of home fire deaths and 21% of home fire injuries.

Ø      4% of home fire deaths started in the living room, family room, or

den.  These fires caused 23% of home fire deaths and 10% of the home

fire injuries.

Ø      Fires confined to chimneys or flues accounted for 6% of all reported

home fires. These fires caused very few casualties

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 380,000 home structure fires per year during 2003-2007.

These fires caused an annual average of

• 2,840 civilian fire deaths,
• 13,160 civilian fire injuries, and
• $6.4 billion in direct damage.

• 92% of all structure fire deaths resulted from home fires.

• On average, eight people died in U.S. home fires every day.

Causes and Circumstances of Home Fires

Details from the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System show that in 2003-2007:

• Cooking equipment was the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.
• Smoking was the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths. Heating equipment ranked second in home fire deaths overall, but was the leading cause of fire deaths in one- or two-family homes

Almost all homes have at least one smoke alarm, but almost two-thirds of reported home fire deaths in 2003-2007 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Kitchens were the leading area of fire origin.

• 41% of home structure fires started in the kitchen.  These fires caused 36% of civilian home fire injuries

15% of home fire deaths also resulted from kitchen fires.

• 8% of reported home fires started in the bedroom.  These fires caused 24% of home fire deaths and 21% of home fire injuries.
• 4% of home fire deaths started in the living room, family room, or den.  These fires caused 23% of home fire deaths and 10% of the home  fire injuries.
• Fires confined to chimneys or flues accounted for 6% of all reported home fires. These fires caused very few casualties.

Recently, NFPA published a study by John R. Hall, Jr. on TheTotal Cost of Fire in the US. To see the complete paper click on the link provided.

The core of the total cost of fire was $134.2 billion in 2007. Other cost components that have been estimated only in one-time special studies may add about $42.3 billion to the total. Human losses, which many people resist converting to dollar equivalents, would add $42.5 billion in 2007 if valued along the lines discussed in this report. And the value of the donated time of volunteers is very roughly estimated as $128 billion, using the rough bases of valuation discussed here.

Adding these all together produces a total value affected by fire - lost to fire, spent to avoid or deal with fire, or donated to avoid or deal with fire - of $347 billion, or about 2.5% of U.S. gross domestic product.

It should be clear by this point that most of the analysis supporting these estimates is soft and has wide bands of uncertainty. Nevertheless, the conclusion that fire has a tremendous impact on the way the U.S. uses its scarce resources is indisputable.

It also is clear that we have a dual interest in reducing U.S. fire losses – which include human losses that are among the highest per capita in the industrial world – and in seeking ways to achieve equivalent fire safety at lower costs, since the growth in total cost of fire has been led not by the fire losses but by the other cost components. This provides a clear indication of need for product innovations or other programs (e.g., educational) that can improve fire safety at the same or lower costs. It also shows the need for improved methods (e.g., models) for calculating fire performance and costs, so the implications of different choices can be considered and judged more comprehensively.

While the safety incidents have decreased in the workplace, they are increasing at an alarming rate off-site.  Homes dafety has becoming a focus of The National Safety Council and the Home Safety Council.  This site will continue to provide home safety tips as part of the a way to reverse this trend. 

 As the spring enters there are more opporuntites for floods accross the US.  Associated with these floods are the possibility of fires.   The US Fire Administration provides helpful hints for preventing fires after floods. 

A wide range of natural disasters occurs within the United States every year. Natural disasters can have a devastating effect on you and your home. The U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to use the following safety tips to help protect yourself, your family and your home from the potential threat of fire during or after a flood. You can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a fire casualty by being able to identify potential hazards and following the outlined safety tips.

Types of Fire Related Hazards Present During and After a Flood
•Generators are often used during power outages. Unless generators are properly used and maintained, they can be very hazardous.
•Alternative heating devices used incorrectly create fire hazards. Proper use and maintenance can decrease the possibility of a fire.
•Leaking above ground gas lines, damaged or leaking gas or propane containers, and leaking vehicle gas tanks may explode or ignite.
•Pools of water and even appliances can be electrically charged. This can result in a dangerous electrical fire.
•Appliances that have been exposed to water can short and become a fire hazard.
Chemical Safety
•Look for combustible liquids like gasoline, lighter fluid, and paint thinner that may have spilled. Thoroughly clean the spill and place containers in a well-ventilated area.
•Keep combustible liquids away from heat sources.
Electrical Safety
•If your home has sustained flood or water damage, and you can safely get to the main breaker or fuse box, turn off the power.
•Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. This includes cable TV feeds.
•Be aware of and avoid downed utility lines. Report downed or damaged power lines to the utility company or emergency services.
•Remove standing water, wet carpets and furnishings. Air dry your home with good ventilation before restoring power.
•Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage.
Generator safety
•Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines when using generators.
•Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the home. CO fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.
•Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
•Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.
•Always refuel generators outdoors.
•Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or ‘backfeed’ can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.
Heating safety
•Kerosene heaters may not be legal in your area and should only be used where approved by authorities.
•Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes.
•Alternative heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away.
•Make sure your alternative heaters have ‘tip switches.’ These ‘tip switches’ are designed to automatically turn off the heater in the event they tip over.
•Only use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer and follow suggested guidelines.
•Never refill a space heater while it is operating or still hot.
•Refuel heaters only outdoors.
•Make sure wood stoves are properly installed, and at least 3 feet away from combustible materials. Ensure they have the proper floor support and adequate ventilation.
•Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby carpets, furniture or other combustible items.
and Remember…
•Do not use alternative heating devices to dry clothes or furnishings.
•Be careful when using candles. Keep the flame away from combustible objects and out of the reach of children.
•Never thaw frozen pipes with a blow torch or other open flame. Use hot water or a device, like a hand-held dryer, evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
•Some smoke alarms may be dependent on your home’s electrical service and could be inoperative during a power outage. Check to see if your smoke alarm uses a back-up battery and install a new battery at least once a year.
•Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home.
•All smoke alarms should be tested monthly. All batteries should be replaced with new ones at least once a year.
•If there is a fire hydrant near your home, keep it clear of debris for easy access by the fire department.

The statistics are in and again the safest place to be is at work.  The number of lost workdays and recordables are decreasing.  The number or significant worker injuries and deaths are slightly higher.

The real increases are coming in 2 areas, on-the-road vehicle incidents and at home.  I have talked about vehicle safety previously, so let’s talk a little about home safety.

The Home Safety Council has a wonderful checklist which, you can share with your employees.

(more…)

The National Fireworks Safety Coucil has published some tips to help everyone avoid those common and not-so-common fireworks incidents we hear about every year.  So first let me wish you all a Happy and SAFE July 4th Hoilday.  And as they used to say on Hill Street Blues ( do you remember?) “Let’s be safe out there!

Review Our Safety Tips…

USE FIREWORKS OUTDOORS ONLY.
OBEY LOCAL LAWS.  IF FIREWORKS ARE NOT LEGAL WHERE YOU LIVE, DO NOT USE THEM!

ALWAYS HAVE WATER HANDY (A HOSE OR BUCKETS OF WATER)

ONLY USE FIREWORKS AS INTENDED.  DON’T TRY TO ALTER THEM OR COMBINE THEM.

NEVER RE-LIGHT A “DUD” FIREWORK (WAIT 20 MINUTES AND THEN SOAK IT IN A BUCKET OF WATER)

USE COMMON SENSE WHEN USING FIREWORKS.   SPECTATORS SHOULD KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE SHOOTER.  AND THE SHOOTER SHOULD WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.

ALCOHOL AND FIREWORKS DO NOT MIX.  HAVE A “DESIGNATED “SHOOTER

ONLY PERSON OVER AGE 12 SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HANDLE SPARKLERS OF ANY TYPE.

DO NOT EVER USE HOMEMADE FIREWORKS OR ILLEGAL EXPLOSIVES; THEY CAN KILL YOU! REPORT ILLEGAL EXPLOSIVES TO THE FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FIREWORKS SAFETY INVITES YOU TO CELEBRATE OUR NATION’S HERITAGE ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, BUT CELEBRATE SAFELY!