People 50-Plus Fire Death
and Risk Report

A Compilation of State-by-State Data

U.S. Fire Administration
August 2004





















This publication was prepared by Hager Sharp Inc. for A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus, U.S. Fire 
Administration.  


CONTENTS


Introduction, page 3

National Fire Data for People 50-Plus, page 4

State Fire Data for People 65-Plus, page 5

Tips for Preventing Fire Death and Injury for People 50-Plus, page 56

State Fire Marshal Offices, page 57



INTRODUCTION


The U. S. Fire Administration (USFA) developed the People 50-Plus Fire Death 
and Risk Report to provide fire educators, journalists, public decision-makers and 
others with a deeper comprehension of the risk of death from unintentional home 
fires that older people in our country face.  The reality is that people ages 65 and 
older are three times as likely to die in an unintentional home fire than the rest 
of the U.S. population.  Careless smoking, heating and cooking are the leading 
causes of the approximately 1,100 home fire deaths annually among the 65-plus 
population.

The report shows the risk nationally for people ages 50  64, and details the state-
by-state rates for the age groups whose risk escalates with successive decades:  65  
74-year-olds, 75  84-year-olds, and people 85 and older.  The report is based on 
residential fire death numbers for each state provided by the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.  

A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus aims to raise awareness of the increased 
risk of fire death for people ages 65 and older, and to inform those who are ages 50 
and older of these risks as they plan ahead and care for older loved ones.  The 
campaign's messages focus on safe practices for smoking, cooking and heating the 
home.  The final section of the report provides tips for people ages 50 and older to:

Prevent Fire. 
Save Lives.
www.usfa.DHS.gov/50Plus



PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

UNITED STATES

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in the United States are more than three times as likely to die in a 
fire as the rest of the nation's population.

Additional United States Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 31% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 35,376 overall 
residential fire deaths in the United States and of those deaths, 11,100 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in the United States for adults 65 and older is 1 in 29,663; for the population under age 65, 
it is 1 in 94,074.

Older adults in the United States are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the nation's 
population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 4 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

United States Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.3% of state population in age group, 13.2% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.6% of state population in age group, 31.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

United States's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [329,256,078]
United States's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [2,283,740,793]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

ALABAMA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Alabama are four times as likely to die in a fire as the rest of the 
state's population.

Additional Alabama Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 37% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,102 overall 
residential fire deaths in Alabama and of those deaths, 412 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Alabama for adults 65 and older is 1 in 13,309; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 53,223.

Older adults in the Alamaba are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 4 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 7.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Alabama Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.2% of state population in age group, 16.2% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.0% of state population in age group, 37.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Alabama's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [5,483,154]
Alabama's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [36,723,722]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.



PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

ALASKA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in the Alaska are more than 3.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Alaska Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 14% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 160 overall 
residential fire deaths in Alaska and of those deaths, 23 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Alaska for adults 65 and older is 1 in 11,731; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
41,153.

Older adults in Alaska are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly 3 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than twice times the risk for adults 85 and older

Alaska Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  10.7% of state population in age group, 5.6% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  4.6% of state population in age group, 14.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Alaska's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [269,814]
Alaska's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [5,638,007

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

ARIZONA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in the Arizona are more than 2.5 times as likely to die in a fire as 
the rest of the state's population.

Additional Arizona Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 30% of the residential fire 
deaths. There were 369 overall residential fire deaths in Arizona and of 
those deaths, 109 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Arizona for adults 65 and older is 1 in 51,391; 
for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 139,824

Older adults in Arizona are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than twice the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Arizona Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.8% of state population in age group, 14.1% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.4% of state population in age group, 29.5% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Arizona's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [5,601,612]
Arizona's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [36,354,241]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

ARKANSAS

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Arkansas are more than 2.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Arkansas Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 32% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 625 overall 
residential fire deaths in Arkansas and of those deaths, 199 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Arkansas for adults 65 and older is 1 in 18,182; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 49,687.

Older adults in Arkansas are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly 1.5 the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 2.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Arkansas Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.2% of state population in age group, 11.4% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  14.6% of state population in age group, 31.8% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Arkansas's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [3,618,248]
Arkansas's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [21,166,824]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

CALIFORNIA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in California are more than 5 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional California Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 38% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 2,131 overall 
residential fire deaths in California and of those deaths, 813 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in the California for adults 65 and older is 1 in 40,772; for the population under age 65, it 
is 1 in 211,999.

Older adults in California are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Exactly 2.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 8.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

California Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  11.9% of state population in age group, 13.2% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  10.6% of state population in age group, 38.2% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

California's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [33,147,396]
California's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [279,414,692]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

COLORADO

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Colorado are more than 6 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Colorado Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 40% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 198 overall 
residential fire deaths in Colorado and of those deaths, 80 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Colorado for adults 65 and older is 1 in 45,488; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 280,027.

Older adults in Colorado are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 5.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Exactly 17.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Colorado Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.5% of state population in age group, 8.6% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  9.9% of state population in age group, 40.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Colorado's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [3,639,057]
Colorado's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [33,043,144]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

CONNECTICUT

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Connecticut are more than 2.5 times as likely to die in a fire as 
the rest of the state's population.

Additional Connecticut Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 30% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 304 overall 
residential fire deaths in Connecticut and of those deaths, 92 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Connecticut for adults 65 and older is 1 in 49,914; for the population under age 65, it is 
1 in 134,834.

Older adults in Connecticut are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Connecticut Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.0% of state population in age group, 16.8% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.8% of state population in age group, 30.3% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Connecticut's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [4,592,128]
Connecticut's s aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [28,584,771]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in the District of Columbia are nearly 5 times as likely to die in a 
fire as the rest of the District's population.

Additional District of Columbia Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 42% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 96 overall 
residential fire deaths in the District of Columbia and of those deaths, 40 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in the District of Columbia for adults 65 and older is 1 in 18,667; for the population under 
age 65, it is 1 in 91,966.

Older adults in the District of Columbia are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the 
District's population:

*Nearly 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 6 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Are 6.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

District of Columbia Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.0% of state population in age group, 14.6% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.76% of state population in age group, 41.7% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

District of Columbia's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [746.699]
District of Columbia's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [5,150,120]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

DELAWARE

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Delaware are nearly three times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Delaware Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 28% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 88 overall 
residential fire deaths in Delaware and of those deaths, 25 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Delaware for adults 65 and older is 1 in 35,692; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 98,769.

Older adults in Delware are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than twice the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Delaware Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.8% of state population in age group, 9.1% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.5% of state population in age group, 28.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Delware's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [892,288]
Delware's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [6,222,468]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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FLORIDA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Florida are more than twice times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Florida Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 33% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,479 overall 
residential fire deaths in Florida and of those deaths, 490 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Florida for adults 65 and older is 1 in 52,522; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
116,452.

Older adults in Florida are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Exactly 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than twice the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Exactly 3.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Florida Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.3% of state population in age group, 15.8% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  18.3% of state population in age group, 33.1% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Florida's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [25,735,789]
Florida's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [115,171,380]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

GEORGIA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Georgia are more than 3.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Georgia Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 29% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,461 overall 
residential fire deaths in Georgia and of those deaths, 425 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Georgia for adults 65 and older is 1 in 16,680; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
61,595.

Older adults in Georgia are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 4 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 6 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Georgia Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.7% of state population in age group, 15.5% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  10.0% of state population in age group, 29.1% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Georgia's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [7,089,029]
Georgia's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [63,812,321]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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HAWAII

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Hawaii made up more than half of the residential fire deaths 
over a 10-year period.

Additional Hawaii Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 51% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 41 overall 
residential fire deaths in Hawaii and of those deaths, 21 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Hawaii for adults 65 and older is 1 in 66,417; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
514,788.

Based on the low number of residents ages 65 and older and the low number 
of overall fire deaths, the data comparison is statistically unreliable. 
However, the risk of dying in a home fire remains high for those ages 65 
and older.

Hawaii Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.1% of state population in age group, 7.3% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.9% of state population in age group, 51.2% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Hawaii's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [1,394,755]
Hawaii's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [10,295,755]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

IDAHO

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Idaho are more than 3.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the rest 
of the state's population.

Additional Idaho Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 33% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 116 overall 
residential fire deaths in Idaho and of those deaths, 38 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Idaho for adults 65 and older is 1 in 34,432; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
127,257.

Older adults in Idaho are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 7.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Idaho Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.6% of state population in age group, 8.6% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.6% of state population in age group, 32.8% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Idaho's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [1,308,430]
Idaho's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [9,926,041]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

ILLINOIS

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Illinois are 2.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the rest of the 
state's population.

Additional Illinois Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 26% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,728 overall 
residential fire deaths in Illinois and of those deaths, 452 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Illinois for adults 65 and older is 1 in 32,641; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
81,236.

Older adults in Illinois are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Exactly 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Nearly 4 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Illinois Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.2% of state population in age group, 12.3% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.5% of state population in age group, 26.2% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Illinois's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [329,256,078]
Illinois's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [2,283,740,793]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

INDIANA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Indiana are more than twice times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Indiana Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 26% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 878 overall 
residential fire deaths in Indiana and of those deaths, 224 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Indiana for adults 65 and older is 1 in 32,391; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
77,000.

Older adults in Indiana are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than twice the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Indiana Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.7% of state population in age group, 9.6% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.6% of state population in age group, 25.5% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Indiana's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [7,255,641]
Indiana's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 50,538,240]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

IOWA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Iowa are more than 2.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the rest 
of the state's population.

Additional Iowa Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 33% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 339 overall 
residential fire deaths in Iowa and of those deaths, 112 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Iowa for adults 65 and older is 1 in 38,793; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
105,950.

Older adults in Iowa are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Exactly 2.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Iowa Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.7% of state population in age group, 13.9% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  15.3% of state population in age group, 33.0% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Iowa's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [4,344,809]
Iowa's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [24,050,644]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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KANSAS

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Kansas are more than twice as likely to die in a fire as the rest of 
the state's population.

Additional Kansas Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 27% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 362 overall 
residential fire deaths in Kansas and of those deaths, 97 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Kansas for adults 65 and older is 1 in 36,264; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
83,455.

Older adults in Kansas are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Less than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than twice the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Kansas Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.9% of state population in age group, 13.0% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.7% of state population in age group, 26.8% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Kansas's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [3,517,567]
Kansas's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [22,115,592]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

KENTUCKY

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Kentucky are nearly three times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Kentucky Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 29% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 818 overall 
residential fire deaths in Kentucky and of those deaths, 239 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Kentucky for adults 65 and older is 1 in 20,237; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 57,733.

Older adults in Kentucky are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than 1.5 the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Exactly 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Kentucky Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.0% of state population in age group, 12.7% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.6% of state population in age group, 29.2% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Kentucky's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [4,836,643]
Kentucky's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [33,427,444]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

LOUISIANA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Louisiana are more than three times as likely to die in a fire as 
the rest of the state's population.

Additional Louisana Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 30% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 993 overall 
residential fire deaths in Louisiana and of those deaths, 298 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Louisiana for adults 65 and older is 1 in 16,443; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 55,282.

Older adults in Louisiana are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 7 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Louisiana Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.9% of state population in age group, 13.2% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.3% of state population in age group, 30.0% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Louisiana's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [4,900,127]
Louisiana's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [38,421,225]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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MAINE

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Maine are more than three times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Maine Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 34% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 173 overall 
residential fire deaths in Maine and of those deaths, 58 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Maine for adults 65 and older is 1 in 29,654; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
93,029.

Older adults in Maine are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Maine Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.0% of state population in age group, 9.8% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.9% of state population in age group, 33.5% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Maine's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [1,719,944]
Maine's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [10,698,289]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

MARYLAND

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Maryland are more than three times as likely to die in a fire as 
the rest of the state's population.

Additional Maryland Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 28% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 605 overall 
residential fire deaths in Maryland and of those deaths, 127 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Maryland for adults 65 and older is 1 in 32,149; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 102,367.

Older adults in Maryland are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Nearly 5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Maryland Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.6% of state population in age group, 12.2% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.1% of state population in age group, 28.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Maryland's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [5,529,692]
Maryland's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [44,324,811]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

MASSACHUSETTS

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Massachusetts are more than three times as likely to die in a fire 
as the rest of the state's population.

Additional Massachusetts Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 35% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 548 overall 
residential fire deaths in Massachusetts and of those deaths, 191 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Massachusetts for adults 65 and older is 1 in 44,117; for the population under age 65, it 
is 1 in 147,422.

Older adults in Massachusetts are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84
*Exactly 5.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Massachusetts Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.2% of state population in age group, 15.0% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.8% of state population in age group, 34.9% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Massachusetts's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [8,426,437]
Massachusetts's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [52,629,798]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

MICHIGAN

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Michigan are more than twice as likely to die in a fire as the rest 
of the state's population.

Additional Michigan Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 25% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,540 overall 
residential fire deaths in Michigan and of those deaths, 383 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Michigan for adults 65 and older is 1 in 30,437; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 72,615.

Older adults in Michigan are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Less than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Exactly 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Nearly 4 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Michigan Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.4% of state population in age group, 11.4% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.2% of state population in age group, 24.9% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Michigan's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [11,657,441]
Michigan's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [84,015,532]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

MINNESOTA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Minnesota are nearly three times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Minnesota Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 28% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 409 overall 
residential fire deaths in Minnesota and of those deaths, 116 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Minnesota for adults 65 and older is 1 in 49,098; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 136,800.

Older adults in Minnesota are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 2.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Minnesota Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.6% of state population in age group, 11.0% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.4% of state population in age group, 28.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Minnesota's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [5,695,338]
Minnesota's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [40,082,543]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

MISSISSIPPI

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Mississippi are nearly 4 times as likely to die in a fire as the rest 
of the state's population.

Additional Mississippi Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 35% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,025 overall 
residential fire deaths in Mississippi and of those deaths, 363 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Mississippi for adults 65 and older is 1 in 9,127; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 35,435.

Older adults in Mississippi are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 4 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Exactly 9 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Mississippi Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.1% of state population in age group, 12.5% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.4% of state population in age group, 35.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Mississippi's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [3,313,110]
Mississippi's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [23,457,735]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

MISSOURI

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Missouri are more than 2.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Missouri Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 30% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 961 overall 
residential fire deaths in Missouri and of those deaths, 286 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Missouri for adults 65 and older is 1 in 25,799; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 67,615.

Older adults in Missouri are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Exactly 4.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Missouri Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.8% of state population in age group, 11.1% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.9% of state population in age group, 29.8% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Missouri's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [7,378,5348]
Missouri's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [45,639,987]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

MONTATA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Montana are nearly three times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Montata Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 31% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 108 overall 
residential fire deaths in Montana and of those deaths, 33 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Montana for adults 65 and older is 1 in 34,124; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 98,133.

Older adults in Montana are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Montana Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.8% of state population in age group, 11.1% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.3% of state population in age group, 30.6% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Montana's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [1,126,105]
Montana's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [7,359,981]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

NEBRASKA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Nebraska are nearly three times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Nebraska Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 32% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 145 overall 
residential fire deaths in Nebraska and of those deaths, 46 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Nebraska for adults 65 and older is 1 in 49,734; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 141,949.

Older adults in Nebraska are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Less than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Nebraska Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.0% of state population in age group, 5.5% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  14.0% of state population in age group, 31.7% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Nebraska's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [329,256,078]
Nebraska's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [2,283,740,793]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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NEVADA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Nevada are more than 3.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Nevada Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 32% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 129 overall 
residential fire deaths in Nevada and of those deaths, 41 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Nevada for adults 65 and older is 1 in 40,067; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
149,278.

Older adults in Nevada are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 4.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 10 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Nevada Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.4% of state population in age group, 14.0% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.1% of state population in age group, 31.8% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Nevada's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [1,642,752]
Nevada's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [13,136,488]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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NEW HAMPSHIRE

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in New Hampshire made up one-third of residential fire deaths 
over a 10-year period.

Additional New Hampshire Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 35% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 98 overall 
residential fire deaths in New Hampshire and of those deaths, 34 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in New Hampshire for adults 65 and older is 1 in 39,746; for the population under age 65, 
it is 1 in 157,693.

Based on the low number of residents ages 65 and older and the low number 
of overall fire deaths, the data comparison is statistically unreliable. 
However, the risk of dying in a home fire remains high for those ages 65 
and older.

New Hampshire Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.0% of state population in age group, 11.2% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.8% of state population in age group, 34.7% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

New Hampshire's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [1,351,362]
New Hampshire's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [10,092,369]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
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NEW JERSEY

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in New Jersey are more than three times as likely to die in a fire as 
the rest of the state's population.

Additional New Jersey Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 34% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 882 overall 
residential fire deaths in New Jersey and of those deaths, 299 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in New Jersey for adults 65 and older is 1 in 35,830; for the population under age 65, it is 
1 in 118,641.

Older adults in New Jersey are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*More than twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

New Jersey Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.2% of state population in age group, 15.6% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.4% of state population in age group, 33.9% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

New Jersey's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [10,713,269]
New Jersey's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [69,167,448]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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NEW MEXICO

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in New Mexico are nearly 5 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional New Mexico Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 38% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 173 overall 
residential fire deaths in New Mexico and of those deaths, 65 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in New Mexico for adults 65 and older is 1 in 27,946; for the population under age 65, it is 
1 in 136,277.

Older adults in New Mexico are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*More than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 6 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 10 times the risk for adults 85 and older

New Mexico Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.9% of state population in age group, 13.9% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.0% of state population in age group, 37.6% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

New Mexico's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [1,816,499]
New Mexico's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [14,717,961]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

NEW YORK

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in New York are 3.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the rest of the 
state's population.

Additional New York Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 34% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 2,317 overall 
residential fire deaths in New York and of those deaths, 796 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in New York for adults 65 and older is 1 in 29,9473; for the population under age 65, it is 
1 in 105,113.

Older adults in New York are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Exactly 3.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Exactly 6 times the risk for adults 85 and older

New York Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.0% of state population in age group, 13.4% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.0% of state population in age group, 34.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

New York's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [23,837,855]
New York's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [159,876,703]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

NORTH CAROLINA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in North Carolina are more than three times as likely to die in a fire 
as the rest of the state's population.

Additional North Carolina Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 32% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,393 overall 
residential fire deaths in North Carolina and of those deaths, 442 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in North Carolina for adults 65 and older is 1 in 19,871; for the population under age 65, it 
is 1 in 65,891.

Older adults in North Carolina are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*More than twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Nearly 6 times the risk for adults 85 and older

North Carolina Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.9% of state population in age group, 16.4% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.3% of state population in age group, 31.7% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

North Carolina's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [8,783,003]
North Carolina's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [62,662,453]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

NORTH DAKOTA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in North Dakota are nearly twice as likely to die in a fire as the rest 
of the state's population.

Additional North Dakota Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 24% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 87 overall 
residential fire deaths in North Dakota and of those deaths, 21 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in North Dakota for adults 65 and older is 1 in 44,414; for the population under age 65, it 
is 1 in 83,431.

Based on the low number of residents ages 65 and older and the low number 
of overall fire deaths, the data comparison is statistically unreliable. 
However, the risk of dying in a home fire remains high for those ages 65 
and older.

North Dakota Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.7% of state population in age group, 10.3% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  14.5% of state population in age group, 24.1% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

North Dakota's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [932,688]
North Dakota's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [5,506,474]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

OHIO

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Ohio are more than twice as likely to die in a fire as the rest of 
the state's population.

Additional Ohio Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 27% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,302 overall 
residential fire deaths in Ohio and of those deaths, 349 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Ohio for adults 65 and older is 1 in 41,980; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
101,053.

Older adults in Ohio are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74
*Exactly 2.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84
*More than 4 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Ohio Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.9% of state population in age group, 12.1% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.2% of state population in age group, 26.8% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Ohio's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [14,651,043]
Ohio's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [96,303,281]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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OKLAHOMA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Oklahoma are more than 2.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Oklahoma Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 29% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 625 overall 
residential fire deaths in Oklahoma and of those deaths, 181 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Oklahoma for adults 65 and older is 1 in 24,269; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 63,649.

Older adults in Oklahoma are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Less than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Oklahoma Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.1% of state population in age group, 12.0% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.5% of state population in age group, 29.0% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Oklahoma's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [4,392,743]
Oklahoma's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [28,260,290]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
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Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

OREGON

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Oregon are nearly three times as likely to die in a fire as the rest 
of the state's population.

Additional Oregon Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 30% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 329 overall 
residential fire deaths in Oregon and of those deaths, 99 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Oregon for adults 65 and older is 1 in 41,970; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
116,018.

Older adults in Oregon are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 2 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Oregon Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.4% of state population in age group, 13.1% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.5% of state population in age group, 30.1% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Oregon's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [4,155,062]
Oregon's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [26,684,186]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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PENNSYLVANIA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Pennsylvania are 2.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the rest of 
the state's population.

Additional Pennsylvania Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 32% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,994 overall 
residential fire deaths in Pennsylvania and of those deaths, 633 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Pennsylvania for adults 65 and older is 1 in 29,859; for the population under age 65, it 
is 1 in 74,997.

Older adults in Pennsylvania are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*Exactly 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 2.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Pennsylvania Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.3% of state population in age group, 11.6% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  15.6% of state population in age group, 31.7% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Pennsylvania's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [18,900,993]
Pennsylvania's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [102,070,376]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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RHODE ISLAND

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Rhode Island made up nearly one-third of the residential fire 
deaths over a 10-year period.

Additional Rhode Island Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 28% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 79 overall 
residential fire deaths in Rhode Island and of those deaths, 22 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Rhode Island for adults 65 and older is 1 in 69,505; for the population under age 65, it 
is 1 in 151,314.

Based on the low number of residents ages 65 and older and the low number 
of overall fire deaths, the data comparison is statistically unreliable.  
However, the risk of dying in a home fire remains high for those ages 65 
and older.

Rhode Island Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.2% of state population in age group, 17.7% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  15.1% of state population in age group, 27.8% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Rhode Island's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [329,256,078]
Rhode Island's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [2,283,740,793]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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SOUTH CAROLINA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in South Carolina are more than three times as likely to die in a fire 
as the rest of the state's population.

Additional South Carolina Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 27% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,046 overall 
residential fire deaths in South Carolina and of those deaths, 283 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in South Carolina for adults 65 and older is 1 in 15,276; for the population under age 65, it 
is 1 in 42,616.

Older adults in South Carolina are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*Exactly 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Exactly 5.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

South Carolina Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.6% of state population in age group, 16.6% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.7% of state population in age group, 27.1% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

South Carolina's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [4,323,129]
South Carolina's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [32,516,006]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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SOUTH DAKOTA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in South Dakota made up one-fourth of residential fire deaths over 
a 10-year period.

Additional South Dakota Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 25% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 104 overall 
residential fire deaths in South Dakota and of those deaths, 26 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in South Dakota for adults 65 and older is 1 in 40,424; for the population under age 65, it 
is 1 in 79,259.

Based on the low number of residents ages 65 and older and the low number 
of overall fire deaths, the data comparison is statistically unreliable.  
However, the risk of dying in a home fire remains high for those ages 65 
and older.

South Dakota Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.2% of state population in age group, 17.7% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  15.1% of state population in age group, 27.8% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

South Dakota's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [1,529,114]
South Dakota's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [8,624,904]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

TENNESSEE

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Tennessee are nearly three times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Tennessee Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 30% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 1,104 overall 
residential fire deaths in Tennessee and of those deaths, 335 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Tennessee for adults 65 and older is 1 in 19,544; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 59,033.

Older adults in Tennessee are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Tennessee Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  14.2% of state population in age group, 15.5% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.6% of state population in age group, 30.3% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Tennessee's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [6,547,311]
Tennessee's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [45,395,996]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

TEXAS

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Texas are more than 4.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the rest 
of the state's population.

Additional Texas Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 35% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 2,224 overall 
residential fire deaths in Texas and of those deaths, 769 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Texas for adults 65 and older is 1 in 24,227; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
113,844.

Older adults in Texas are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*More than twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Exactly 5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 8 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Texas Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.0% of state population in age group, 11.5% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  10.0% of state population in age group, 34.6% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Texas's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [18,630,827]
Texas's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [165,300,957]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

UTAH

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Utah are three times as likely to die in a fire as the rest of the 
state's population.

Additional Utah Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 22% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 114 overall 
residential fire deaths in Utah and of those deaths, 25 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Utah for adults 65 and older is 1 in 66,909; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
197,822.

Older adults in Utah are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Nearly twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Utah Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  10.1% of state population in age group, 14.9% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  8.7% of state population in age group, 21.9% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Utah's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [1,672,134]
Utah's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [17,606,176]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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VERMONT

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Vermont made up one-third of residential fire deaths over a 10-
year period.

Additional Vermont Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 30% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 79 overall 
residential fire deaths in Vermont and of those deaths, 24 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Vermont for adults 65 and older is 1 in 29,437; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 92,710.

Based on the low number of residents ages 65 and older and the low number 
of overall fire deaths, the data comparison is statistically unreliable.  
However, the risk of dying in a home fire remains high for those ages 65 
and older.

Vermont Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.4% of state population in age group, 15.2% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  12.2% of state population in age group, 30.4% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Vermont's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [706,477]
Vermont's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [5,099,047]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




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A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
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VIRGINIA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Virginia are more than 4.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional Virginia Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 36% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 960 overall 
residential fire deaths in Virginia and of those deaths, 344 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Virginia for adults 65 and older is 1 in 20,859; for the population under age 65, it is 1 in 
94,364.

Older adults in Virginia are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Exactly 2.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 4.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 6.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Virginia Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.5% of state population in age group, 16.4% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.0% of state population in age group, 35.8% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Virginia's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [7,175,667]
Virginia's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [58,128,067]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

WASHINGTON

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Washington are nearly 4 times as likely to die in a fire as the rest 
of the state's population.

Additional Washington Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 33% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 497 overall 
residential fire deaths in Washington and of those deaths, 165 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Washington for adults 65 and older is 1 in 37,164; for the population under age 65, it is 
1 in 141,116.

Older adults in Washington are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*More than twice the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Nearly 4 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 5.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Washington Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  12.9% of state population in age group, 12.1% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  11.6% of state population in age group, 33.2% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Washington's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [6,132,006]
Washington's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [46,850,573]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

WEST VIRGINIA

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in West Virginia are nearly 3 times as likely to die in a fire as the 
rest of the state's population.

Additional West Virginia Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 33% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 380 overall 
residential fire deaths in West Virginia and of those deaths, 126 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in West Virginia for adults 65 and older is 1 in 21,822; for the population under age 65, it 
is 1 in 60,527.

Older adults in West Virginia are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's 
population:

*Less than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*More than 3 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*Exactly 5.5 times the risk for adults 85 and older

West Virginia Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  15.2% of state population in age group, 9.7% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  15.2% of state population in age group, 33.2% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

West Virginia's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [2,749,525]
West Virginia's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [15,373,884]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.


PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

WISCONSIN

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Wisconsin are 2.5 times as likely to die in a fire as the rest of the 
state's population.

Additional Wisconsin Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 28% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 624 overall 
residential fire deaths in Wisconsin and of those deaths, 175were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Wisconsin for adults 65 and older is 1 in 38,783; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 98,349.

Older adults in Wisconsin are at an increased risk of fire death as compared to the rest of the state's population:

*Less than 1.5 times the risk for adults 65 to 74 
*Exactly 3.5 times the risk for adults 75 to 84 
*More than 4 times the risk for adults 85 and older

Wisconsin Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.2% of state population in age group, 11.2% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  13.3% of state population in age group, 28.0% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Wisconsin's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [6,787,029]
Wisconsin's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [44,158,827]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.


PREVENT FIRE.  SAVE LIVES.
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus
Sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration

WYOMING

FACT:  Adults 65 and older in Wyoming made up nearly one-fourth of the residential fire 
deaths over a 10-year period.

Additional Wyoming Fire Facts:

From 1989 to 1998, adults 65 and older made up 24% of the residential fire deaths.  There were 37 overall 
residential fire deaths in Wyoming and of those deaths, 9 were adults 65 and older.

The risk of fire death in Wyoming for adults 65 and older is 1 in 56,983; for the population under age 65, it is 1 
in 151,120.

Based on the low number of residents ages 65 and older and the low number 
of overall fire deaths, the data comparison is statistically unreliable. 
However, the risk of dying in a home fire remains high for those ages 65 
and older.

Wyoming Older Adult Population vs. Residential Fire Chart
Deaths by Age Group (1989-1998)
Ages 50 to 64:  13.1% of state population in age group, 16.2% of state fire deaths in age group.
Ages 65 and older:  10.8% of state population in age group, 24.3% of state fire deaths in age group.

National Fire Trends (1989-1998)
The fire death rate for all Americans ages 65 and older is more than 3 times the national average, and it rises as 
they get older. Adults ages 65 to 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population. 
Adults ages 75 to 84 are nearly 4 times as likely, and after age 85 the rate rises to more than 5 times as likely.

Every year, approximately 1,100 adults ages 65 and older die from residential fires. 

Adults Ages 50 to 64
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are approaching the high-risk group. From 1989 to 1998, 4,761 adults 50 
to 64 years old died from residential fires. This group accounted for 13% of the population and the fire deaths. 
Their fire death rate will increase with age.

Wyoming's aggregated population, 1989-1998, 65 and older [512,845]
Wyoming's aggregated population, 1989-1998, under age 65 [4,231,373]

Source:
Residential fire death and population data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. (2002). National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. ICD-9 Codes: E890-E899 and place of accident: home.  Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths 
are considered by the National Center for Health Statistics to be statistically unreliable.

Note:
A 10-year span of data is presented to more accurately depict the risk of residential fire death in a given state. CDC data was drawn from 1989 through 1998, using the International Classification of Disease-9th Revision 
coding method.  The ICD-9 codes include code sets for types of disease, injuries, and poisonings as well as external cause of injury (E codes).  Produced by: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, CDC Data Source: NCHS Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths. Bureau of Census for population estimates.




Fire Safety Facts for People 50-Plus



Every year, approximately 1,100 Americans ages 65 and older die from residential fires. With a few simple 
steps, older people can dramatically reduce their risk of death and injury from fire. These facts, combined with
the knowledge that adults ages 50 and older are entering and caring for this high risk group, inspired the U.S. 
Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS) and part of the 
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to develop a national public safety campaign for adults ages 50 and 
older, their families and caregivers. USFA encourages you to:

Prevent Fire. Save Lives.
For your well-being and others you love:
Practice fire-safe behaviors when smoking, cooking and heating. Maintain smoke alarms, develop and practice 
a fire escape plan, and if possible, install home fire sprinklers.

Smoke Safely
Sitting in your favorite chair and having a cigarette after dinner seems to some like a great way to relax  but 
cigarettes and relaxing can be a deadly mix. Falling asleep while smoking can ignite clothing, rugs and other
materials used in upholstered furniture. Using alcohol and medications that make you sleepy compound this 
hazard. Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths and the second leading cause of injuries 
among people ages 65 and older. Cigarettes when not properly extinguished continue to burn. When a resting 
cigarette is accidentally knocked over, it can smolder for hours before a flare-up occurs. Before you light your 
next cigarette, remember:

 Never smoke in bed.
 Put your cigarette or cigar out at the first sign of feeling drowsy while watching television or reading.
 Use deep ashtrays and put your cigarettes all the way out.
 Don't walk away from lit cigarettes and other smoking materials.

Cook Safely
Many families gather in the kitchen to spend time together, but it can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the 
house if you don't practice safe cooking behaviors. Cooking is the third leading cause of fire deaths and the
leading cause of injury among people ages 65 and older.  It's a recipe for serious injury or even death to wear 
loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves), walk away from a cooking pot on the stove, or leave flammable 
materials, such as potholders or paper towels, around the stove. Whether you are cooking the family holiday 
dinner or a snack for the grandchildren:

 Never leave cooking unattended. A serious fire can start in just seconds.
 Always wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Keep towels, pot holders and curtains away from 
flames.
 Never use the range or oven to heat your home.
 Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house.

Heat Your Home Safely
During winter months, December, January and February, there are more home fires than any other time of year. 
Heating devices like space heaters and wood stoves make homes comfortable, but should be used with extra
caution. Heating is the second leading cause of fire death and the third leading cause of injury to people 
ages 65 and older. 

Many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented with safe heating practices. So before you grab a good 
book and cozy up to the fireplace, make sure you do the following:

 Keep fire in the fireplace by making sure you have a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling 
logs.
 Space heaters need space. Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from heaters.
 When buying a space heater, look for a control feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls 
over.

The "Get Out Alive" Home Fire Safety Steps
 Smoke Alarms: Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, test batteries every month and change 
them at least once a year.
 Home Fire Escape Plan: Develop and practice a fire escape plan regularly, at least twice a year. Keep exits 
clear of debris.
 Home Fire Sprinklers: If at all possible, install residential sprinklers in your home.

Source: U.S. Fire Administration, A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus



U.S. Fire Marshal Offices
Alabama
Richard Montgomery
Acting State Fire Marshal
334/241-4166

Alaska
Gary L. Powell
State Fire Marshal
907/269-5491

Arizona
Duane Pell
State Fire Marshal
602/364-1003

Arkansas
Lt. Lloyd Franklin
State Marshal
501/618-8624

California
Ruben Grijalva
State Fire Marshal
916/653-7097/7147

Colorado
Paul Cooke
Director of Fire Safety
303/239-4463

Connecticut
John Blaschik
State Fire Marshal
860/685-8380

Delaware
Willard Preston III
State Fire Marshal
302/739-5665

District of Columbia
Kenneth Watts
Metro Fire Marshal
202/727-3659

Florida
Randy Napoli
Director
850/413-3603

Georgia
Alan R. Shuman
State Fire Marshal
404/656-2064

Hawaii
Attilio Leonardi
Chairman
808/831-7771

Idaho
Mark Larson
State Fire Marshal
208/334-4370

Illinois
J.T. Somer
State Fire Marshal
217/785-4143

Indiana
Ivan Nevil
State Fire Marshal
317/232-2226/2222

Iowa
James Kenkel
Interim State Fire Marshal
515/281-5821

Kansas
Joseph Odle
State Fire Marshal
785/296-3401

Kentucky
Dennis Langford
Acting State Fire Marshal
502/573-0364

Louisiana
VJ Bella
State Fire Marshal
225/925-4911

Maine
John C. Dean
State Fire Marshal
207/624-8964

Maryland
William Barnard
State Fire Marshal
410/339-4200

Massachusetts
Stephen D. Coan
State Fire Marshal
978/567-3110

Michigan
Andy Neumann
State Fire Marshal
517/241-9302

Minnesota
Jerry Rosendahl
State Fire Marshal
651/215-0500

Mississippi
Millard Mackey
Chief Deputy Fire Marshal
601/359-1061

Missouri
Bill Farr
State Fire Marshal
573/751-2930

Montana
Allen Lorenz
Acting State Fire Marshal
406/444-2050

Nebraska
Dennis Hohbein
State Fire Marshal
402/471-2027

Nevada
Doyle G. Sutton
State Fire Marshal
775/687-4290

New Hampshire
Bill Degnan
State Fire Marshal
603/271-3294

New Jersey
Lawrence Petrillo
State Fire Marshal
609/633-6110

New Mexico
John Standefer
State Fire Marshal
505/827-3550

New York
James Burns
State Fire Administrator
518/474-6746

North Carolina
Tim Bradley
State Fire Marshal
919/661-5880

North Dakota
Raymond Lambert
State Fire Marshal
701/328-5555

Ohio
Stephen Woltz
State Fire Marshal
614/752-8200

Oklahoma
Robert Doke
State Fire Marshal
405/522-5005

Oregon
Chief Deputy Nancy Orr
Acting State Fire Marshal
503/373-1540

Pennsylvania
Capt. Nolan E. Brewbaker or
Gregory Mitchell
State Fire Marshals
717/772-0501

Rhode Island
Irving Owens
State Fire Marshal
401/294-0861

South Carolina
William Galloway
Acting State Fire Marshal
803/896-9800

South Dakota
Allen Christie
State Fire Marshal
605/773-3562

Tennessee
Emmett Turner
State Fire Marshal
615/741-2981

Texas
Patricia Gilbert
Acting State Fire Marshal
512/305-7900

Utah
Gary Wise
State Fire Marshal
801/284-6350

Vermont
Robert Howe
Asst. Fire Marshal
802/828-2106

Virginia
Charles Altizer
State Fire Marshal
804/371-7170

Washington
Anjela Foster
Acting State Fire Marshal
360/753-0411

West Virginia
Sterling Lewis
State Fire Marshal
304/558-2191

Wisconsin
Carolyn Kelly
State Fire Marshal
608/266-1671

Wyoming
Jim Narva
Fire Marshal/Director
307/777-6385


For more fire prevention information, please contact:

Publications Office
U.S. Fire Administration
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
1-800-561-3356
Visit the USFA Web site for
A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus:
www.usfa.DHS.gov/50Plus