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Smoking
Media stories can save lives! A news story about a residential fire provides a valuable opportunity to give your community a safety message during a teachable moment. Drop in these prevention tips and facts, and you just might save a life.
All U.S. homes should have working smoke alarms.
Fires can be prevented. A few easy steps can save your life!
- If you smoke, think about quitting.
- Never smoke in bed.
- Put out all cigarettes, cigars, or pipes before you leave the room.
- Use deep ashtrays. Don't put ashtrays on the arms of sofas or chairs.
- Soak ashes in water before dumping them in the trash.
- If you feel sleepy while reading or watching TV, put your cigarette out.
- Close the matchbook before striking a match. Set cigarette lighters to low.
- Keep matches and lighters locked up, away from children. Teach children to tell you if they find a lighter or matches.
- Choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are made to go out if left unattended and are less likely to start a fire.
- If smokers have visited, check floors and seat cushions for butts and ashes that may have been dropped.
- For help to quit smoking, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Smoking Fire Facts
- Smoking is the leading cause of preventable home fire deaths.
- In 2003, an estimated 25,600 structure fires in the United States were caused by smoking materials. These fires caused 760 deaths and 1,520 injuries.
- About 1 out of 4 fire deaths in 2003 was caused by smoking materials.
- The most common things first ignited in deadly smoking-related home fire deaths were mattresses and bedding, upholstered furniture, and floor covering.
- More fatal smoking fires start in living rooms, family rooms, and dens than in bedrooms.
