Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-246-3801, TTY: 711 and Fax:703-385-1687
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-280-0694
Media Information Line: 703-324-3000
Email: fire-rescue.PIO-LSE@fairfaxcounty.gov
Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

07/03/07

Rash of Preventable Fires Spotlighted

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department wants to drastically reduce preventable fires-accidental fires are preventable with your help. The Fire Marshal's Office wants to share information to help residents save lives and reduce property damage by preventing fires in the home, especially during the summer season.

Improper disposal of smoking materials, candles (indoor or outdoor), and barbeque grill fires are major causes of fires during the summer months. Fairfax County firefighters have responded to approximately 30 major fires over the past year involving smoking materials, grills, and candles. Two fatalities, several injuries, including nine firefighter injuries, and property damage amounting to over $11 million have been the outcome of those fires. Raising awareness and educating all age groups is key to changing personal behavior when it comes to fire prevention and accidental fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) cigarettes are the leading cause of home fire fatalities in the United States, killing 700 to 900 people every year. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates barbeque grills cause more than 6,000 fires, average five fatalities, over 170 injuries, and approximately $35 million in property loss annually. During 2002, candles in U.S. homes caused an estimated 18,000 reported structure fires, 130 civilian deaths, 1,350 civilian injuries, and $333 million in estimated direct property damage.

Fairfax County Fire Rescue Department officials are available to speak with news representatives about preventing fires, upon request. Helpful reminders for fire safety are listed below.

• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.
• Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure they are out, dousing in water or sand.
• Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
• If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are less likely to cause fires.
• To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you have to be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children's sight and reach

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles at least one foot away from all combustibles.
• Use candle holders that are study, won’t tip over easily, are made from a material that cannot burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder. Votives and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
• During power outages, avoid carrying a lit candle. Use flashlights.
• NFPA discourages the use of candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.

• When using barbecue grills on decks or patios, leave sufficient space from siding and eaves.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
• Keep children and pets far away from grills.
• With charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
• With gas grills, be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions and have the grill repaired by a professional, if necessary.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Lieutenant Raúl G. Castillo, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY: 711. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.