Survey: Few Doing Basic Steps To Prepare, Prevent Home Fires

October 15, 2007

Released recently during Fire Safety Month, a new Home Safety Council survey finds the majority of adults rank fires and burns as their leading home safety concern, yet many neglect to take basic safety steps to prepare for and prevent home fire emergencies.

The survey was commissioned by the Home Safety Council and polled adults in 20 metropolitan cities to better understand the home safety perceptions and practices in place across the nation.

When asked about fire prevention practices, more than 90 percent of respondents said they had not conducted a home fire drill at night -- a key step in testing each family member's ability to wake up and respond properly to the sound of the smoke alarm.

Also causing alarm, the survey found that nearly 80 percent of adults did not know to test their smoke alarms once a month -- the frequency recommended by the Home Safety Council.

"Unfortunately our research shows that families are not taking the steps needed to protect themselves against fire dangers at home," said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. "With less than three minutes to escape if a fire occurs, it's critical that every home is equipped with working smoke alarms and every family has a well-rehearsed fire escape plan."

According to Home Safety Council research, fires and burns are the third leading cause of home injury-related death, causing an average of more than 3,400 fatalities each year.


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