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Fire Safety

In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a building. In minutes a building can be engulfed in flames.

Most fires occur in the home when people are asleep. At colleges and universities, most fires occur between 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM.

Dormitory Fires:

Each year in the United States, there are an estimated 1,300 fires in high school, private and prep school, and university dormitories. These fires are responsible for less than 5 deaths, and approximately 50 injuries and $4.1 million in property loss annually.

• One-third of dormitory fires are reported as arson (incendiary/suspicious).
• Cooking, the leading cause of residential fires is the second leading cause of dormitory fires (21%).
• Smoking is the third leading cause of dormitory fires (14%).
• Most injuries (56%) from dormitory fires are incurred while the victim attempts to suppress the blaze.

Workplace Fires:

Workplace fires and explosions kill 200 and injure more than 5,000 workers each year.

• In 1995, more than 75,000 workplace fires cost businesses more than $2.3 billion. Of the 4,200 persons who lost their lives due to fires in 1991, the National Safety Council estimates 327 were workplace deaths. Fires and burns accounted for 3.3 % of all occupational fatalities.