03/25/2013
A recent nationwide survey conducted by Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) revealed that 65 percent of Americans feel safer from the dangers of fire at home. Only 10 percent feel safer in a commercial or public building.
"This is an alarming misconception," said Chris Jelenewicz, SFPE’s program manager. "Actually, fires in dwellings account for the majority of life loss due to fire."
Federal government statistics report that in 2011, residential fires resulted in 2,450 deaths and 13,900 injuries. Non-residential building fires resulted in 80 deaths and 1,100 injuries.
Additionally, the survey revealed that 57 percent of Americans believe changes in materials used for furnishings and building materials over the last 25 years make them feel safer in their homes. At the same time only 4 percent of the respondents felt less safe.
"This is another misconception," said Jelenewicz. "In fact, research has demonstrated that at least in North America, changes in materials used for furnishings, building materials and components, and construction methods have resulted in the potential for an increased level of hazard from an accidentaldwelling fire."
In order to reduce the loss of life from residential fires, the use of engineered components, systems and technologies such as smoke alarms, fire sprinklers, improved safety controls on cooking and heating appliances, and improved fire-safe material technologies can significantly reduce the fire hazard within residential structures and thereby reduce the loss of life from residential fires.
"Many people do not recognize the important role systems engineered by fire protection engineers play in protecting our families from fire in the home," said Jelenewicz. "When properly installed and maintained, these systems can significantly improve your chances of surviving a fire in the home."
Jelenewicz offers the following recommendations to protect you from fires in the home:
Make sure a smoke alarm is installed on every level of your home, including the basement.
When installing smoke alarms, always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Test your smoke alarm monthly.
The combination of working smoke alarms and home fire sprinklers reduces the likelihood of death from fire by more than 80 percent. So consider installing home fire sprinklers in your home.
Always use cooking equipment that is tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
Follow manufacturers' instructions and code requirements when installing and operating cooking equipment.
Have your furnace inspected by a heating professional regularly to ensure that it is in good working condition.
For more results on the survey, contact Chris@sfpe.org.
"This is an alarming misconception," said Chris Jelenewicz, SFPE’s program manager. "Actually, fires in dwellings account for the majority of life loss due to fire."
Federal government statistics report that in 2011, residential fires resulted in 2,450 deaths and 13,900 injuries. Non-residential building fires resulted in 80 deaths and 1,100 injuries.
Additionally, the survey revealed that 57 percent of Americans believe changes in materials used for furnishings and building materials over the last 25 years make them feel safer in their homes. At the same time only 4 percent of the respondents felt less safe.
"This is another misconception," said Jelenewicz. "In fact, research has demonstrated that at least in North America, changes in materials used for furnishings, building materials and components, and construction methods have resulted in the potential for an increased level of hazard from an accidentaldwelling fire."
In order to reduce the loss of life from residential fires, the use of engineered components, systems and technologies such as smoke alarms, fire sprinklers, improved safety controls on cooking and heating appliances, and improved fire-safe material technologies can significantly reduce the fire hazard within residential structures and thereby reduce the loss of life from residential fires.
"Many people do not recognize the important role systems engineered by fire protection engineers play in protecting our families from fire in the home," said Jelenewicz. "When properly installed and maintained, these systems can significantly improve your chances of surviving a fire in the home."
Jelenewicz offers the following recommendations to protect you from fires in the home:
Make sure a smoke alarm is installed on every level of your home, including the basement.
When installing smoke alarms, always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Test your smoke alarm monthly.
The combination of working smoke alarms and home fire sprinklers reduces the likelihood of death from fire by more than 80 percent. So consider installing home fire sprinklers in your home.
Always use cooking equipment that is tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
Follow manufacturers' instructions and code requirements when installing and operating cooking equipment.
Have your furnace inspected by a heating professional regularly to ensure that it is in good working condition.
For more results on the survey, contact Chris@sfpe.org.
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