News & Research

NFPASee the latest statistics about the U.S. fire problem, including the number and types of fire in the United States each year, deaths, and injuries.

See the latest statistics about the U.S. fire service, including firefighter fatalities and injuries.

For more information, or to download any password-protected content, contact NFPA's Public Affairs office:

  • via e-mail
  • phone +1 617 984-7275
  • fax +1 617 770-0200

Ten tipsFor simple behaviors that protect against fire dangers, purchase NFPA's revised "10 Tips for Fire Safety" brochures.

Short copy and colorful new illustrations make the ten "Golden Rules" of fire safety easy to understand and remember.

from "A Reporter's Guide to Fire and the NFPA"

Many home fires are preventable. If you’re working on a story about a fire in your community, feel free to include NFPA's key fire safety tips in your article:

  • Watch your cooking
    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
    Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Smoke outside
    Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach
    Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.
  • Inspect electrical cords
    Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections.
  • Be careful when using candles
    Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Have a home fire escape plan
    Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.
  • Install smoke alarms
    Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
  • Test smoke alarms
    Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.
  • Install sprinklers
    If you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.

Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®). www.nfpa.org