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Fire Activity and Dry Conditions Trigger Fire Restrictions in Portions of Western, Central, and Northern AZ (May 2, 2022)
Funding to Help Arizonans Under HB 2001 - August 12, 2021
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Fire Prevention

Top Fire Causes

Click on any image to learn more about these top fire causes.

Cooking heating electrical
cook heat electrical
Smoking candles
smoking candles

 

The following statistics were taken from US Fire Administration Website:

 

Residential Building Fire Causes (2010 – 2019)

This fire estimate summary presents basic data on residential building fire causes in the United States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA's) National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The summary also highlights important trends in the data.

National Estimates

The 2019 national estimates for the leading causes of residential building fires show that there were:

  1. 178,100 cooking fires.
  2. 33,100 heating fires.
  3. 27,200 other unintentional, careless fires.
  4. 24,200 electrical malfunction fires.

Overall Trends

Overall trends in the leading fire causes for the 10-year period of 2010 to 2019 show the following:

  • Cooking as the leading cause of residential building fires for the 10-year period.
  • A 10% increase in residential cooking fires. (This is likely due to an NFIRS coding edit implemented in 2012.)
  • A 32% decrease in residential heating fires.
  • A 22% increase in residential other unintentionally or carelessly set fires.
  • A 0.8% decrease in residential electrical malfunction fires.

graph1

Download USFA’s Fire Estimate Summary Series

 

Residential Building Fire Death Causes

This fire estimate summary presents basic data on residential building fire death causes in the United States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA's) National Fire Incident Reporting System. The summary also highlights important trends in the data.

 

National Estimates

The 2019 national estimates for the leading causes of residential building fire deaths show that there were:

  1. 585 other unintentional, careless fire deaths.
  2. 470 cause under investigation fire deaths.
  3. 320 smoking fire deaths.

 

Overall Trends

Overall trends in the leading fire death causes for the 10-year period of 2010 to 2019 show the following:

  • Other unintentional, careless was the leading cause of residential fire deaths in 9 years out of the 10-year period, and there was a 52% increase in residential other unintentionally or carelessly set fire deaths. In 2018 and 2019, 16 and 18 reported multifatality fire incidents (resulting in 2, 3, 4 or 5 deaths each), respectively, may have contributed to the increase in the estimate of fire deaths.
  • Cause under investigation was the second leading cause of residential fire deaths in 2019, and there was a 67% increase in residential cause under investigation fire deaths. In 2019, 10 reported multifatality fire incidents (resulting in 2, 3 or 4 deaths) may have contributed to the increase in the estimate of fire deaths.
  • A 6% increase in residential smoking fire deaths.

graph2

  • Fire Prevention Week
  • Safety Tips

About Fire Prevention Week

 

Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.

 

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

 

Chicago Fire of 1871 Video

Importance of fire prevention video

Safety Messages

 

2021 Fire Prevention Week

Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety: October 3-9, 2021

sparky

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. 

 

“What do the sounds mean? Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm? Knowing the difference can save you, your home, and your family,” said Lorraine Carli, vice-president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA.

 

 “It’s important to learn the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When an alarm makes noise—a beeping sound or a chirping sound—you must take action!” said (Your name, title). “Make sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond. To learn the sounds of your specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check the manufacturer’s instructions that came in the box, or search the brand and model online.”

 

Safety tips to help you “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety”:

 

  • A continuous set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
  • A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
  • All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
  • Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and
  • the unit must be replaced.
  • Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

 

Prevention & Preparedness

Plan now for emergencies to protect yourself and your family before disaster strikes.  Remember: safety is a shared responsibility.  Below you will find tips to help you prepare:

  • Emergency Supplies Kit Checklist 

  • Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan

  • Home Fire Escape Plan

  • Emergency Supply Checklist

  • Kids Smoke Alarm Calendar

  • Fire Inspection Checklist for Kids 

  • Article: How and When to Teach Your Child to Dial 911

  • Home Fires: Before, During and After 

Home Safety

Below you will find safety tips on a variety of topics relating to safety in the home:

  • 9-volt batteries

  • CFL Light Bulbs

  • Clothes Dryers

  • Lithium Ion Batteries

  • Microwave Ovens

  • Home Safety for People with Disabilites

  • Smoke Alarms for Deaf and Hard of Hearing 

  • Surge Protector and Power Strip Safety

  • Pet Fire Safety Tips

  • Take Action Pet Safety Tips

  • Smoke Alarms at Home 

  • Carbon Monoxide Safety 

  • Fire Alarms in Apartment Buildings 

  • Highly Flammable Plant List

  • Hoarding Safety Tips

  • Outdoor Electrical Safety

  • Smoking and Home Fire Safety

  • Electrical safety around swimming pools, hot tubs and spas 

  • Grilling Fire Safety

  • Summertime Burn Safety

 

Seasonal

  • Halloween

  • Thanksgiving

  • Winter Holidays

  • Christmas Trees

  • Floods

 

Just for Kids

sparky MiloMoxie

 

Sparky the Fire Dog: Games, Videos, Activities

OSFM Favorites:

  • Sparky’s Match Game
  • Sparky’s Recipes
  • Sparky’s Hidden Pics
  • The Story of Sparky The Fire Dog

Arizona Burn Foundation: Milo & Moxie Safety Rangers

OSFM Favorites:

  • Smart Safety Rangers Game
  • Milo and Moxie Full Video
  • Milo and Moxie Resources

 

 

 

 

Fire Marshal

  • Arizona State Statute and Fire Code
  • Plan Review - Permitting and Inspection Information
  • Fire Safe Cigarettes
    • FSC Compliance and Forms
  • Trampoline Courts
  • Firefighter Relief and Pension Fund
  • Arizona NFIRS: National Fire Incident Reporting System
  • Fire Prevention

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Department of Forestry and Fire Management
1110 West Washington St #500
Phoenix, AZ 85007
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