Take extra care when smoking at home

Date: 2/16/2009

Smoke Showin', the column from Fire Chief Richard Brady

Through its Smoking & Home Fires Campaign, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) wants to make this season safer, especially as it relates to the number one cause of preventable home fire deaths in the nation -- fires caused by smoking materials.

"Every year, about 1,000 people are killed in smoking-related home fires," U.S. Fire Administrator Gregory B. Cade, said. "Smokers tend to smoke inside their homes more often because it's cooler outside, so what's important to remember is that smoking home fires can easily be prevented. It just takes a few seconds to light up -- and a few seconds to make sure that the cigarette is really out."

Here's what you can do to prevent a smoking home fire:

• If you feel you must smoke, it's better to smoke outside.

• Inside the home, use big ashtrays with a stable base.

• Really put the cigarette out, don't just tap it into the ashtray.

• It's not a good idea to smoke if you are drowsy, and never smoke in bed.

• If people smoke while at your home, check for cigarette butts near the furniture and under sofa cushions before you call it a night.

• Douse butts and ashes with water before you toss them into the trash.

• If you or someone in your family smokes, Put It Out. All The Way. Every Time.

USFA data shows that one in four people killed in home fires is not the smoker whose cigarette caused the fire. In fact, 34 percent were children of the smokers and 25 percent were neighbors or friends of the smokers. Most smoking-related home fires happen on beds, furniture or in trash when smokers do not put cigarettes all the way out, toss hot ashes in the trash or fall asleep while smoking.