Home Fire Prevention
Electrical failure or malfunction is a leading cause of home fires year after year. Yet, many home electrical fires can be prevented simply by understanding basic electrical safety principles and following safe practices.
Resources:
Fire Prevention Week - We encourage you to use our free Fire Prevention Week resources including our infographic to increase fire safety and electrical safety awareness in your family, community, workplace or school.
Home Electrical Fires - Home electrical fires account for an estimated 42,210 fires each year, nearly 500 deaths, 1,370 injuries, and $1.4 billion in property damage.
Space Heater Safety - Portable electric space heaters can be a convenient source of supplemental heat for your home in cold weather, but they also increase the risk of fire and electric shock if not used properly.
Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Fire Escape Planning - Working smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a home fire, but there is more you need to do to ensure your family is prepared to safely escape from a fire emergency.
Virtual Fire Drill Simulation - Take part in the Virtual Fire Drill Simulation!
Simulacro de Incendio Virtual - Take part in the Virtual Fire Drill Simulation in Spanish!
Additional Resources - See additional fire prevention resources
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Home Fire Safety for Older Adults
The U.S. fire problem is severe. Each year, home fires result in a significant number of deaths and injuries. Older adults (ages 65+) are burdened with the gravest fire risk and are consistently more threatened with injury or death by fire than any other age group. Raising awareness among older adults is the key to reducing home fires and preventing deaths. This home fire safety awareness program provides tools to educate older adults and their families nationwide about home fire hazards related to cooking, heating, and electrical equipment. The critical importance of smoke alarms and fire escape planning are also reinforced.
These program resources were developed with funds provided by a FY 2011 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of a multi-generational fire safety awareness campaign, which encourages family members of all ages to work together to identify and correct potential home fire hazards.
Home Fire Safety for Older Adults Safety Awareness Program Toolkit - Knowledge and awareness are the keys to preventing fires. ESFI urges older adults to take a proactive approach to home fire safety by learning about potential fire hazards and how to prevent them.
Video Public Service Announcements - Video public services announcements on how to help your older loved ones safe.
Home Fire Safety for Older Adults - Community Outreach Presentation - This presentation outlines fire prevention strategies related to each of these major causes, as well as key fire safety preparation strategies, such as escape planning and smoke alarm maintenance.
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