Minneapolis Fire Department Fire Education
Our Fire Education Program is a division of the Fire Prevention Bureau. Fire education is imperative to fire prevention, and our goal is to educate all citizens of Minneapolis on basic fire safety for the purpose of preventing fire-related injuries and deaths.
Consider the following recent fire statistics :
- Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related deaths
- Alcohol use contributes to an estimated 40% of residential fire deaths
- Cooking is the primary cause of residential fires
- Approximately half of home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms
- In 2005, fire departments responded to 396,000 home fires in the United States, which claimed the lives of 3,030 people (not including firefighters) and injured another 13,825, not including firefighters
- On average in the United States in 2005, someone died in a fire about every 2 hours, and someone was injured every 29 minutes
How do these statistics apply to Minneapolis? Between the years 2004-06, Minneapolis had 13 fire deaths. The most common cause (three of the 13) was careless smoking – falling asleep with a burning cigarette. Other causes included unattended candle, careless cooking, unattended campfire, child playing with matches and other preventable causes.
In the fire six months of 2007, Minneapolis suffered 1 fire fatality – again, related to smoking…
Most residential fires are preventable. Here are a few things you can do to prevent a fire from occurring in your own home:
1. Never smoke when you’re drowsy or in bed! If you smoke, put your cigarettes all the way out!
2. Have a working smoke alarm. A working smoke alarm in your home reduces your chances of dying in a fire by nearly half. Test your smoke alarm monthly, and change the batteries twice per year.
3. Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside bedrooms. If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm inside each bedroom as well.
4. Never leave candles burning unattended. Make sure you place burning candles on a non-combustible surface, such as metal or glass, and keep them away from combustible materials such as drapes, furniture, and clothing.
5. Remember that space heaters need space. Keep objects at least three feet away from the heater in all directions and never connect the heater to spliced, do-it-yourself or damaged wiring.
6. Prepare an escape plan and practice it regularly with everyone in the home. In case of a fire, follow the escape plan, get out and stay out.
7. Consider installing a residential automatic fire sprinkler system to protect your home and family.
Following these few simple steps above can mean the difference between life and death!
Stopping a Fire Before it Starts
Find links to kid-friendly fire safety websites.
Fire Safety Brochures
See our Fire Safety Brochures.
Fire Safety and Prevention Resources
FIRE SAFETY TIPS (During the Winter and Holiday Seasons)
Minnesota State Fire Marshals Office
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association)
USFA (U.S. Fire Administration)
CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention )
St. Paul Fire Department
Twin Cities Metro Fire Departments
HCMC Burn Center
Fire Safety Contact Information
Casidy Anderson
Community Risk Reduction Officer
Minneapolis Fire Department
(612) 919-7790
casidy.anderson@minneapolismn.gov
Last updated Mar. 2, 2012