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October Tips of the Month: Fire
Prevention Month
The latest statistics from the National Fire Prevention
Association show that one home structure fire was reported every 87 seconds in 2009.
On average, seven people died in home fires every day. Adults 65 and over face
the highest risk of fire death.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on
average in the United States in 2009, someone died in a fire every 175 minutes,
and someone was injured every 31 minutes. About 85% of all U.S. fire deaths
occurred in homes. Fire and burn injuries represent 1% of the incidence of
injuries and 2% of the total costs of injuries, or $7.5 billion each year.
Smoking was the
leading cause of home fire deaths overall, with cooking as the
leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries year round.
Groups at increased risk of fire-related injuries and deaths include
Children four and under and older adults ages 65 and older. According to the
CDC, Every day, 435 children ages 0-19 are treated in emergency rooms for
burn-related injuries and two children die as a result of being burned.
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