Facts on House Fires

Each year, house fires result in loss of life; damage to property; and other medical, financial and emotional issues. Although there doesn't seem to be a clear cut representation of the type of homes most likely to suffer fire damage, there are underlying principles that may help prevent fire or minimize the destruction they cause. Being aware of several key facts about house fires can lead to an effective prevention plan.

Causes

The cause of most residential fires is cooking. Arson, smoking, and candles and other types of open flames are the next three reasons why house fires start.

Time Factor

Fire spreads very quickly. An entire home can be engulfed in flames within minutes.

Deadly

Fire feeds off of oxygen, rapidly depleting the amount of breathable air in a room. Most fatalities result from smoke inhalation.

Intense Heat

Heat from a fire poses more of a threat than the flames. Inhaling super heated air can permanently damage lung tissue. Within 5 minutes, an entire room can ignite from the elevated air temperature.

High Risk People

The elderly and children have the highest risk of dying in a fire.

Safety Solutions

Installing smoke alarms or a sprinkler system dramatically decreases both the possibility of fatalities and minimizes the damage to the structure.