Fire Prevention
The fire services in Sevier County have progressively taken on the role of educating the public when it
comes to preventing fires and the devastation they can bring. The departments continue to participate
in community events to help raise awareness to common mistakes that people make by being the cause
of an untimely fire.
We also have a County wide SMOKE ALARM INSTILATION PROGRAM available to any citizen in Sevier
County where the fire departments will provide a smoke alarm at no cost and will even install the alarms
in your home to insure the best possible placement. If you are in need of a smoke alarm CONTACT US
(link) immediately to make sure you and your family are protected.
Another way your fire department is actively making a difference in our community is the Fire
Prevention School Program. Every year the fire departments in Sevier County visit the schools and
provide the students with fire safety education in a fun and exciting way. From free fire safety branded
school supplies to the, kid’s favorite, fire safety trailer… Our firefighters take great pride in reaching out
and teaching the youngsters about how to stay safe.
If you ever have any questions concerning fire safety issues please CONTACT US (link) and we will be
more than happy to help answer your questions.
(Sean… here I would like two big box links for two separate pages that will have the following
information on them…)
(link 1) HANDY FIRE PREVENTION TIPS
FIRE PREVENTION TIPS (new page)
(link 2) EYE OPENING FIRE STATISITCS
Working Together for Home Fire Safety
More than 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and approximately 18,300 are injured. An
overwhelming number of fires occur in the home. There are time-tested ways to prevent and survive a
fire. It’s not a question of luck. It’s a matter of planning ahead.
Every Home Should Have at Least One Working Smoke Alarm
Buy a smoke alarm at any hardware or discount store. It’s inexpensive protection for you and your
family. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Working smoke alarms can double your
chances of survival. Test it monthly, keep it free of dust and replace the battery at least once a year.
Smoke alarms themselves should be replaced after ten years of service, or as recommended by the
manufacturer.
Prevent Electrical Fires
Never overload circuits or extension cords. Do not place cords and wires under rugs, over nails or in high
traffic areas. Immediately shut off and unplug appliances that sputter, spark or emit an unusual smell.
Have them professionally repaired or replaced.
Use Appliances Wisely
When using appliances you should always follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions. Overheating,
unusual smells, shorts and sparks are all warning signs that appliances need to be shut off, then replaced
or repaired. Unplug appliances when not in use. Use safety caps to cover all unused outlets, especially if
there are small children in the home.
Alternate Heaters
•
•
Portable heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least three feet away.
Keep fire in the fireplace. Use fire screens and have your chimney cleaned annually. The
creosote buildup can ignite a chimney fire that could easily spread.
Kerosene heaters should be used only where approved by authorities. Never use gasoline or
camp-stove fuel. Refuel outside and only after the heater has cooled.
•
Affordable Home Fire Safety Sprinklers
When home fire sprinklers are used with working smoke alarms, your chances of surviving a fire are
greatly increased. Sprinklers are affordable – they can increase property value and lower insurance rates.
Plan Your Escape
Practice an escape plan from every room in the house. Caution everyone to stay low to the floor when
escaping from fire and never to open doors that are hot. Select a location where everyone can meet
after escaping the house. Get out then call for help.
Caring for Children
Children under five are naturally curious about fire. Many play with matches and lighters. Fifty-two
percent of all child fire deaths occur to those under age 5. Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching
your children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
Caring for Older People
Every year over 1,000 senior citizens die in fires. Many of these fire deaths could have been prevented.
Seniors are especially vulnerable because many live alone and can’t respond quickly.
FIRE STATISTICS (new page)
Just to put things into perspective… The following are some interesting and eye opening fire related
facts…
Home Fires
•
•
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.
In 2009, U.S. fire departments responded to 362,500 home structure fires. These fires caused
12,650 civilian injuries, 2,565 civilian deaths, $7.6 billion in direct damage.
•
Escape Planning
Click here to download a ESCAPE PLAN WORKSHEET (link-new page Sean PDF attached)
•
According to an NFPA survey, less than one-fourth of Americans have both developed and
practiced a home fire escape plan.
•
Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, less than half actually
practiced it.
•
One-third of Americans households who made and estimate they thought they would have at
least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. The time available is
often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!
Smoke Alarms
•
Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no
working smoke alarms. About one in five smoke alarm failures was due to dead batteries.
•
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half
•
In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 91% of
the time, while battery powered alarms operated only 75% of the time.
Home Fire Sprinklers
•
Automatic fire sprinkler systems cut the risk of dying in a home fire by about 80%.
•
Home fire sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take
the fire department to arrive on the scene.
•
Sprinklers are highly effective because they react so quickly in a fire. They reduce the risk
of death or injury from a fire because they dramatically reduce the heat, flames and smoke
produced, allowing people time to evacuate the home.
Cooking
•
Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and associated injuries, and was
tied for the third leading cause of home fire deaths.
•
Unattended cooking was by far the leading cause of these fires.
•
Households using electric ranges have a higher risk of fires than those using gas ranges.
•
Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking than being
burned in a cooking fire.
•
Nearly half (45%) of microwave oven injuries seen at emergency rooms in 2009 were scalds.
•
U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 155,400 cooking-related home fires each year
between 2005-2009, causing an average of 390 deaths, 4,800 injuries and $771 million in direct
property damage.
Heating
•
Fires involving heating equipment peak in December, January and February, as do deaths from
these fires. Overall, homes fires and home fire deaths are also more common in the cooler
months of the year.
•
Heating equipment was the second leading cause of all reported home fires and home fire
deaths.
•
The leading factor contributing to heating equipment fires was failure to clean, principally
creosote from solid fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
•
Half of home heating fire deaths resulted from fires caused by heating equipment too close to
things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding.
•
U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 64,100 heating-related home fires each year
between 2005-2009, causing an average of 560 deaths, 1,620 injuries and $904 million in direct
property damage.
Smoking Materials
•
The risk of dying in a home structure fire caused by smoking materials rises with age.
•
In recent years, Canada and the United States have required that all cigarettes sold must be “fire
safe,” that is have reduced ignition strength and less likely to start fires.
•
U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 18,900 smoking-relate home fires each year
between 2005-2009, causing an average of 660 deaths, 1,270 injuries and $492 million in direct
property damage.
Electrical
•
41% of home electrical fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment.
•
53% of home electrical fires involved other known types of equipment, including ranges,
washers/dryers, fans and space heaters.
•
During 2005-2009, electrical distribution and lighting equipment was involved in the ignition of
23,400 home structure fires, on average, per year. These fires caused an average of 390 deaths,
970 injuries and $822 million in direct property damage.
Candles
•
On average, there are 35 home candle fires reported per day.
•
Roughly two-fifths of these fires started in the bedroom.
•
More than half of all candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle.
•
During 2005-2009, candles caused an average of 12,900 home fires, 140 home fire deaths, 1,040
home fire injuries and $471 million in direct property damage.