Fire Safety Statistics | -
Each year, nearly 156,000 fires in the United States occur during the winter holiday season claiming nearly 630 lives, 2,600 injuries and $936 million in property damage. Of these, 47,000 residential structure fires kill 530, injure 2,200 and cause an estimated $554 million in property damage. -
Fires caused by children playing with fire increases during the holiday season. -
When Christmas trees are the material first ignited in residential structures, dollar loss per fire is three times higher and fatalities per fire are eight times higher than fires ignited by other materials. -
Candle fires increase fourfold during the holiday season, causing more than $20 million in property damage. | | | The holidays are a time for entertaining and celebration. It’s also a time for additional inventory, lights and holiday decorations. Unfortunately, this also increases the risk of fire. Prevention –the best way to keep from getting burned. Every 18 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States (NFPA 2000). Fire has killed more Americans than all natural disasters combined. Direct property loss due to fires was estimated at $10.7 billion dollars in 2005 (US Fire Admin.2005). These statistics are scary but true however there are precautions you can take: - When decorating with lights replace any frayed or damaged cords and only purchase lights that bare the mark of a testing laboratory (UL approved).
- Use caution with holiday decorations and choose those made with flame-retardant or non-combustible materials.
- Always use a fused power-strip instead of a small gauge extension cord. All power-strips & large gauge (14-16) extension cords (for temporary use) must be plugged directly into an outlet.
- Make sure that all smoke detectors have batteries and are in working order.
- Exits (means of egress) must be totally unobstructed at all times.
- Make sure all exit signs and emergency lighting is in working order.
- Open flames (especially candles) are not permitted in a place of business.
- Make sure all employees are able to quickly locate exits and fire extinguishers.
- Live trees are prohibited.
- When using a portable heater make sure the emergency shut-off is working correctly and maintain at least 3’ clearance around the heater.
Fire Safety at Worship Centers | CANDLES ARE A BIG FIRE HAZARD IN CHURCHES. In 1999, the Potsdam Church of the Nazarene in Potsdam, N.Y., fell victim to a fire following a service on Christmas Eve. “Hot wax from the advent candles used during the service – which we where sure to blow out – ignited a nearby plastic evergreen,” said a church member. Two to three hours later, a passerby reported a glow in the window. The inside of the sanctuary had to be completely rebuilt, but fortunately there were no injuries. Worship centers must be especially diligent about combustible decorations such as candles, holiday lights, paper and cloth. Churches are at an extremely high risk for fire. | | | The fire department will be stopping in periodically through the winter months, especially during the holidays to help eliminate potential fire hazards. For further information on holiday safety please visit the US Fire Administration website @ www.usfa.dhs.gov there is a great deal of helpful information about fire prevention during the holidays. The fire department wishes you and your employees a safe and happy holiday season. If you have any questions please call (614) 855-7370.
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Holiday Fire Safety 
