18% OF ARSON FIRES ARE SET IN BUILDINGS
According to the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 16,000 intentionally set fires in homes every year, resulting in an estimated 300 deaths, 700 injuries and $500 million in direct property damage. The average dollar loss for an intentionally set fire in a residential building is $21,320. The fatality rate for intentionally set residential fires is more than twice that of other residential building fires.
Arson in the Home – What you can do
- The fatality rate for intentionally set residential fires is more than twice that of other residential building fires.
- Install lights on all sides of the house and motion-activated lighting near the entrances.
- Put timers on interior lights to give the illusion the home is occupied.
- Trim or remove shrubbery that blocks the view of the house from the street.
- Consider installing security and fire alarm devices that can transmit an alarm to the police or fire department when the home alarm sounds.
- Install deadbolts on all external doors.
- Clean around your house and garage, removing unused and unneeded paper, trash, cleaning supplies, partial cans of paint and other materials that could become kindling and fuel a fire for an arsonist.
Arson at houses of worship – What you can do
- Each year from 2020 to 2022, an estimated average of 1,300 fires in places of worship were reported to fire departments in the U.S. These fires resulted in an estimated annual average of $74.6 million in property loss. The leading cause of fires in places of worship was cooking (33%), but intentional actions accounted for an additional 15%.
- Illuminate building exterior and entrances. Place motion-activated lighting near entrances. Install lights to cover all sides of the building. Put interior lights on timers.
- Install smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system. The most effective fire loss prevention and reduction measure for both life and property is the installation and maintenance of fire sprinklers.
- Keep doors locked. Equip external doors with code-compliant hardware and secure them when the facility isn't occupied. Limit and track which members of the congregation have keys and alarm codes.
Quick Tips to Share
Spread the word by sharing these graphics with your family and friends! We encourage you to print these and also share on social media.
Information provided by the U.S. Fire Administration.
