In 2010, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 57,100 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated losses of 490 civilian deaths, 1,540 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. These fires accounted for 16% of all reported home fires.
Source: NFPA's Latest Estimates of Home Heating Fires - 2010 (PDF, 138 KB)
Video: With a few simple safety tips and precautions you can prevent most heating fires from happening.
Facts & figures
Based on 2006-2010 annual averages:
- Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for one-third (32%) of home heating fires and four out of five (80%) of home heating fire deaths.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (26%) was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- Placing things that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding, was the leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half (51%) of home heating fire deaths.
- Half (50%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
Source: NFPA's “Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment" report by John R. Hall, Jr., November 2012.
Video: How to stay safe if you're using a space heater to heat your home this winter.
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