USFA release report on residential fire injuries

Emmitsburg, MD – Approximately 13,250 people were injured in residential fires every year between 2009 and 2011, according to a new report from the U.S. Fire Administration.

Residential building fires accounted for 76 percent of all civilian fire injuries. USFA said 360,900 residential building fires were reported annually during that period, 8,100 of which resulted in injuries. Almost 80 percent of injuries were caused by exposure to flame, heat, smoke and other fire products, followed by exposure to toxic fumes other than smoke, making contact with an object or jumping in an attempt to escape.

Other findings include:

• Cooking was the primary cause of residential fires that resulted in injuries.
• January had the highest incidence of injuries (11 percent).
• Being asleep contributed to more than half of injuries.
• 35 percent of injuries occurred in the bedroom.