Statistics

Although the number of fatalities and injuries caused by residential fires has declined gradually over the past several decades, many residential fire-related deaths remain preventable and continue to pose a significant public health problem.

U.S. Residential Fire Loss: 2000-2009

The residential structure fire problem represented approximately 85 percent of all fire deaths and 77 percent of the injuries to civilians in 2009. Between 2000 and 2009, an average of 2,919 civilians lost their lives and another 14,081 were injured annually as the result of residential structure fires.

Residential structures include one- and two-family dwellings (including manufactured homes), apartments, hotels, motels, college dormitories, boarding houses, etc.

Causes of Residential Fires, Deaths, Injuries, and Dollar Loss

* Unintentional/careless fires constitute the leading cause of residential fire deaths, followed by smoking.
* Unintentional/careless fires constitute the leading cause of residential fire dollar loss, followed by electrical malfunction.
* Cooking equipment, most often a range or stovetop, is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the United States.

Source: U.S. Fire Administration 2009 Fire Estimate Summaries

For more Fire Safety Information please visit  the National Fire Protection Association website.

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