The Other Holiday Killer
With the holiday season here, the NFPA updated its statistics on holiday-related fires. The data includes the average annual number and severity of incidents, loss estimates, and injuries and deaths related to fires from holiday decorations, lights, trees and candles.
It wasn’t surprising to find that while the number of reported fires from these causes was at 1,000 per year, there were a disproportionate number of serious injuries, deaths and high-dollar losses. It also meant that most of these incidents go unreported unless they progress beyond the homeowner’s control and the fire department is needed — and by that time, it may be too late.
The good news is that these updates were released in time for fire department to use them for a quick public-information campaign or press release timed to alert residents to the severity of these fires and inform them of the need to inspect all holiday decorations and smoke alarms.
But another statistic generated by the NFPA caught my eye even more than the holiday update. The months of December and January are the peak season for fire departments to respond to carbon monoxide–related calls. An estimated 61,000 responses were made in 2005, with over 75% being reported during the waking hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., when residents usually are able to hear and react to a CO alarm. No statistics were published on when most CO fatalities occur, but my guess is that it‘s when most residents are asleep.
Most of us associate CO with older homes and appliances, but increasingly the incidents are being reported in newer homes because of energy-saving devices used in heating and air-conditioning systems. These energy efficient climate controlled homes may also keep more pollutants inside than older draftier homes. However, CO can come from many other sources, including running automobiles in or near garages to warm them, grills or generators used as alternate heat or power sources during utility disruptions, or even multiple heating units used in close proximity to one another.
Children, especially those under the age of four and even unborn children during pregnancy, are more susceptible to CO poisoning due to their size, while our elderly citizens are at higher risk because of their other pre-existing health conditions. Along with the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the local Drug and Poison Information Center, our department has worked to raise the awareness of our citizens to these dangers. Our current campaign includes radio spots that stress the need for a carbon monoxide alarm in each home and especially the need to call 911 if CO or its symptoms are suspected.
As we move into 2008, take a moment to make sure your residents are aware and familiar with the danger of carbon monoxide, the other holiday killer.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Thank you for the article. I hope that people will call early during an incident, while it is still a small one.
61000 CO calls is a lot! I have been on a few that were pretty serious. I wonder how many people do not have detectores, and therefore do not call.
December 27th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
lets not lose site of the number one cause of fire fatalities cigarettes. the nfpa reports we can cut fire fatalities now by ten percent simply by passing state fire safe cigarette laws. why are some states not pushing for this easy way to cut losses now . where else could the fire service hope to see such a dramatic reduction in fire deaths in a short time. nearly half of all states in the usa have [passed such laws in the past few years it should be the number one priority for fire prevention in 2008 every state should support this cause
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