Americans Neglect Simple Measures to Ensure Fire Preparedness

Mebane, NC, November 18, 2008– A recent survey performed by Kelton Research indicates that while most Americans have smoke alarms in their homes, many may not be prepared if a fire actually occurred.

A fire can double in size every 30 seconds, leaving families little time to react.  While the majority of respondents expressed confidence that they could locate and use a fire extinguisher, in reality, most Americans may not be able to reach one in time.  Nearly a quarter (24%) of those surveyed don’t own a fire extinguisher, and just over a third (37%) only have one that works in their home.  More alarming, close to half (46%) of American households have not developed a fire escape plan.  Of the families that do have a plan, most (69%) only practice it once a year or less. 

“Most Americans are aware of the need for multiple smoke alarms in their home,” said Suzanne Turner, vice president of marketing and communications for Kidde (pronounced “Kidda”), a leading manufacturer of fire safety products that sponsored the survey.  “However, this research confirms that families still don’t realize the importance of other basic fire safety steps.   A fire extinguisher can put out a small, contained fire, and all families need to know what they to do once a smoke alarm sounds. ”

Wintertime brings an increased chance for home fires as families turn on their home’s heat, use space heaters and fireplaces, and begin holiday cooking and decorating. As the deadliest time of year for home fires approaches, the fire safety experts at Kidde urge you to take a few minutes now and update your fire safety plan to ensure that your family is adequately protected.

Education Needed on Maintaining a Fire Extinguisher
While 83 percent of Americans test their smoke alarms at least once a year, many consumers are unaware of the need to make sure a fire extinguisher is properly charged.  Only 11 percent of fire extinguisher owners check the gauge as frequently as they should – once a month. Nearly a quarter (24%) have never checked their extinguishers. Most Americans do not realize that more than 80 percent of fire extinguishers sold at retailers are single-use units – meaning they should be replaced after being used, and cannot be recharged. 

When selecting a fire extinguisher for your home, follow these simple tips:

• Choose a UL-listed fire extinguisher based on your home’s needs - living area, kitchen, garage - keeping in mind that bigger is better. Extinguishers are rated based on their firefighting ability; the higher the number, the more firefighting agent it has.   
  
• Look for an extinguisher with an easy-to-read pressure gauge and clear instructions on the label. 
  
• Place fire extinguishers on every floor, close to exits, in the kitchen and garage, and in all locations where a fire may begin.  The National Fire Protection Association recommends having an extinguisher every 40 feet.
  
• Check the extinguisher’s gauge monthly. If the needle is on empty or “in the red,” replace the unit.
  
• Buy an extra extinguisher and practice using it in your backyard, without a fire, so that you are ready in an emergency.  
  
• Respect all fires, regardless of size. The main objective is safe escape.

Research Also Indicates Need for Planning & Overall Safety
According to the NFPA, someone in the United States dies in a house fire every three hours, amounting to 3,000 deaths each year.  The Kelton study found that most families are unprepared to safely escape a home fire. Participants were asked if they had a fire escape plan (a plan of action so everyone knows how to safely exit the home), and if so, how frequently they practiced it.

Results showed that 46 percent of respondents do not have a fire escape plan. And, of those that do, less than a third (31%) practice it more than once a year as recommended by fire safety experts. 

“It is imperative that families practice fire escape plans during the day and at night,” said Turner. “A fire that happens at night when your family is asleep is probably one of the most difficult fire situations someone might experience. Smoke, coupled with darkness, makes it difficult to see and can be very scary.  Knowing how to get out of the house quickly can literally mean the difference between life and death.”

Fire extinguishers and escape planning are just part of an overall fire safety plan.  Families also should install working smoke alarms in every room and have working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on each floor and near sleeping areas.  The Kelton study found that most respondents had three smoke alarms in their home on average, but only half had a CO alarm. 

Click here for more details on the survey and the methodological notes.

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