Smoking Kills

Smoking is the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths. Most of the fires caused by smoking materials and related losses occur in homes, including apartments.

In 2008, these fires caused 680 civilian deaths, 1,520 civilian injuries and $737 million in direct property damage. One out of four fatal victims of smoking-material fires is not the smoker whose cigarette started the fire.

Thankfully, smoking-material fires (smoking materials are defined as lighted tobacco products, but do not include matches or lighters.) are down by 66% from 1980 to 2008. But, there were still an estimated 114,800 smoking-material fires in the United States in 2008.

Something to think about if you're going to live around smokers, or if you're a landlord who chooses NOT to convert your rentals into smoke-free environments.


Source: National Fire Protection Association