NFPA Surveys Finds Fire Risk Underestimated

Credit: National Fire Sprinkler Industry, IP Promo-Gram, Winter 2004

A Harris Interactive telephone poll of 1,014 adults conducted for the National Fire Prevention Association between September 9 – 12, 2004 found that 31 percent of those surveyed feel most at risk from tornadoes, compared to 27 percent who cited fire as the greatest risk. Rounding out the survey were hurricanes (14 percent), earthquakes (9 percent), flood (9 percent) and terrorist attacks (5 percent).

In fact, fires are more common and more deadly than the survey respondents appear to believe. In 2003, fire departments responded to 1.6 million fires in the United States. Nearly 4,000 lives were lost in those fires. There are an average of 70 tornado deaths annually. Fires are also more expensive, costing $12 billion in 2003, as opposed to about $3 million for tornadoes and hurricanes combined.

Interestingly, the survey found that while 96 percent of American homes have smoke detectors – the percentage is less in small communities, as well as in less well educated and less affluent households – only 8 percent respond to smoke alarms by assuming there is a fire and leaving the premises immediately, as recommended.

“Fire remains a major cause of death, injury and property damage in this country,” NFPA President James M. Shannon said. Promo-Gram would add: “If you want to be safe, have an automatic fire sprinkler system.”