Fire Safety for the Heating Season
- In 2005, U.S. fire departments responded to 62,200 home structure fires that involved heating equipment. These fires caused: – 670 civilian fire deaths – 1,550 civilian fire injuries – $909 million in direct property damage
- Nearly half (44%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February in 2002–2005.
- Heating equipment fires accounted for 16% of all reported home fires in 2005 (second behind cooking) and 22% of home fire deaths.
- Space heaters, excluding fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney connectors, were involved in one-third (32%) of the home heating fires but three-fourths (73%) of the deaths in 2005.
- In 2002–2005, the leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) and deaths (53%) is heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding. This excludes fires reported as conined fires.
- Chimneys and chimney connectors accounted for the largest share (36%) of home heating fire incidents in 2005. Failure to clean accounted for two thirds (64 %) of the conined chimney and chimney connector fires in 2002–2005.
Source: NFPA