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Survey: Concerns About Economy May Increase Incidence of Home Fires

Nearly half of Americans planning to use alternative heating sources this winter

October 6, 2008
A survey released by the American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests the majority (79%) of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes, and many will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter.

The survey identified additional behaviors related to appliance maintenance and cooking that could also present home fire hazards this winter.

"If people use alternative heat sources to reduce energy costs, it is critical they use devices that are new or in good working order, and they turn off units when they go to bed or leave the room," said NFPA President James. M. Shannon.

"We hope this survey will encourage more people to take the simple steps necessary to protect their families and homes from fire," said Gail J. McGovern, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Of the more than 74,000 disasters the American Red Cross responds to each year, approximately 93% are fire related, but unlike natural disasters, most home fires can be prevented."

Heating and Cooking Fires

According to NFPA reports, cooking and heating are the leading causes of home fires. The survey revealed the majority of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes (79%), and that 48% of households will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter.

Alternative heating sources include portable space heaters, stoves, ovens and fireplaces. A third (36%) of people with fireplaces reported they never cleaned or inspected their chimneys.

The survey also found 23% of respondents did not consider it essential to make sure someone is home when food is cooking on the stove.

Young Adults at Risk

Young adults, ages 18-24, were more likely than others to say they will use the oven to keep the kitchen warm this winter (17% versus 7% for all households). Young adults were also less likely to take precautionary steps such as removing the lint from the dryer filter after every load (one in three do not remove the lint after every load).

Smoke Alarms and Fire Escape Plans

Those who were surveyed also revealed another unsafe behavior: 37% say they disable smoke alarms when they go off in a non-testing situation. More than half (53%) of the households surveyed have not taken any of three common actions in most home fire escape plans, which includes discussing with family members how to get out of the home, deciding on an outdoor meeting place and practicing the plan.

"On any given night in America, the Red Cross is out responding to hundreds of home fires, providing comfort, shelter and aid to help families pick up the pieces," said McGovern.

NFPA and the American Red Cross offer these and other safety tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

• Give space heaters space by keeping them at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

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