Safety Information and Resources
Experts Speak Out
A little prep can accomplish a lot.
A recent Red Cross survey found that 80% of families have a false sense of security about their family’s ability to escape a home fire. Most have not practiced an escape plan and are surprised to learn they have just two minutes or less to escape their burning home before it’s too late. Installing smoke alarms, testing them monthly and practicing an escape plan with family members at least twice a year can greatly increase chances of survival.
American Red Cross
Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Infants, the elderly, people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Every 24 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere in the nation. Although the number of fires and fire deaths have decreased significantly since the 1970’s, some statistics are more troubling.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
In experimental burns comparing living room style spaces containing common items in a modern home and rooms with legacy furnishings, it was discovered flashover times had decreased from roughly 30 minutes with legacy furnishings to roughly five minutes with the modern items.