Fire Hazards
Did you know that smoking is a leading cause of apartment fires? The tragic facts:According to the Maine State Fire Marshal, "In the U.S. and Canada, 25% of fatal fires are attributable to improperly disposed smoking materials. In Maine, at least 30% of fatal fires are related to tobacco products, and it may be as high as 40% because not every cause of fire can be determined."
• In Maine in 2004, there were 55 fires related to tobacco use and five smoking-related deaths.
• Nationally, in 2001 there were an estimated 31,200 smoking materials fires in structures, 830 deaths, 1,770 injuries, and $386 million in property damage. Of the fire deaths, 770 occurred in the home (National Fire Protection Association).
• Smoking was the cause of 40% of deaths from apartment fires in the U.S. and was also the cause of 16% of injuries from apartment fires.