USFA releases fire reports

Emmitsburg, MD – The U.S. Fire Administration released a series of reports on March 10 examining the risk of death or injury by fire among various demographics.

According to reports:

• The risk of fire death among adults increases with age, with the elderly experiencing the greatest risk of fire death.
• Overall, the risk of fire death among children 15 and younger is less than that of the general population.
• The risk of fire injury is greatest among 30- to 34-year-olds.
• Although child fire deaths increase with age, fire injuries peak among those younger than 4, drop in the middle years, and then spike again among those 10-14 years old.
• Men are 1.5 times more likely than women to die in a fire.
• African-Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives are at a much higher risk of fire death than the general population.
• Low-income populations are at increased risk of fire death.

Fire data in the reports is based on the National Fire Incident Reporting System and updates information previously released in 2008.