Fire and Smoking Prevention

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Did you know?

  • There are about 7,600 smoking-related fires in homes each year.
  • Smoking is a leading cause of home fire deaths.
  • The death rate per 1,000 fires is more than seven times greater in smoking-related home fires than in nonsmoking-related fires.
  • Sixty-seven percent of smoking-related home fires happen when smoking materials, like cigarettes, are not put out properly.
  • Twenty-four percent of smoking-related home fires begin in the bedroom.

Source: Smoking-Related Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010)

Smoking fire safety messages to share

Smokers need to know the steps they can take to keep themselves and their families safe from fire. Put these fire safety messages into your own words when talking to people about smoking and fire safety.

  • The safest place to smoke is outside of the home. Use a sturdy ashtray or a can filled with sand to collect ashes.
  • Use ashtrays with a wide, stable base that is hard to tip over. If it wobbles, it won’t work.
  • Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to start on fire, like a table.
  • Put it out. All the way. Every time. The cigarette needs to be completely stubbed out in the ashtray.
  • Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. NEVER toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash.
  • Don’t put ashtrays on sofas and chairs. Chairs and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast. If people have been smoking in your home, check for cigarettes under cushions.
  • NEVER smoke while using oxygen or anywhere near an oxygen source, even if it is turned off. Oxygen makes any fire burn hotter and faster.
  • If you are drowsy or falling asleep, put it out. Smoking in bed is very dangerous.

Additional Information 

Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes – www.firesafecigarettes.org

Emerging issue: electronic cigarette (e-cigs) fires and explosions. Although fires and explosions caused by electronic cigarettes are rare, more than 2.5 million Americans are using them, and this number is growing rapidly. Read this overview PDF 899 KB about how e-cigs work, recent fire and explosion incidents, and why most incidents occur while the battery is charging.