This publication was produced under contract by IOCAD Emergency Services Group for the United states

Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency. Any information, findings, conclusions, or

recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal

Emergency Management Agency or the United States Fire Administration.

CHILDREN AND FIRE IN THE UNITED STATES: 1994-1997

Federal Emergency Management Agency

United States Fire Administration
2

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ........................................................................ 2

Tables and Figures ..................................................................... 3

Introduction ............................................................................ 5

Methodology ........................................................................... 5

Data Sources ......................................................................... 5

Definitions ........................................................................... 5

Limitations ........................................................................... 6

Demographic Profile ................................................................... 6

Child Fire Death Rates .............................................................. 6

Variations in Risk ................................................................... 8

Patterns of Child Fire Deaths ........................................................ 9

Seasonal Patterns ................................................................... 9

Weekday .............................................................................. 12

Time of Day .......................................................................... 13

Residential Fires ........................................................................ 14

Where Fires Occur .................................................................. 14

Area of Fire Origin .................................................................. 16

Causes of Fires ........................................................................... 17

Equipment Involved in Ignition .................................................... 17

Ignition Factor ........................................................................ 18

Children Playing Fires ................................................................ 19

Form of Heat Ignition .............................................................. 20

Material Ignited ..................................................................... 22

Victims of Children Playing Fires ................................................ 23

Impact of Smoke Detectors .......................................................... 25

Conclusions .............................................................................. 26

References ................................................................................ 28
3

Tables and Figures

Tables

Table 1. Percent of Fire Deaths by Population ....................................... 7

Table 2. Percent of Child Fire Deaths by Age Group ................................ 8

Table 3. Relative Risk of Fire Death for Children .................................... 9

Table 4. Relative Risk of Fire Death for Children Based on Gender and Ethnicity

 Compared to the General Population ....................................... 10

Table 5. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Month .......... 11

Table 6. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Weekday ....... 12

Table 7. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Time of Day ... 13

Table 8. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Area of Origin

 Adjusted to Include Apportioned Unknown Responses, 1994-1997 .... 15

Table 9. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Equipment

 Involved Adjusted to Include Apportioned Unknown Responses,

 1994-1997 ....................................................................... 17

Table 10. Percent of Reported Child Injuries and Deaths in Open Flame Fires

 Adjusted to Include Apportioned Unknown Responses,

 1994-1997 .................................................................... 18

Table 11. Percent of Reported Injuries and Deaths from Matches and Lighters in

 Children Playing Fires Adjusted to Include Apportioned Unknown

 Responses, 1994-1997 ....................................................... 20

Figures

Figure 1. Average Percent of Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Month .......... 11

Figure 2. Average Percent of Child Injuries and Deaths by Weekday ............ 12

Figure 3. Average Percent of Child Injuries and Deaths by Time of Day ........ 13

Figure 4. Types of Residential Fires Resulting in Child Injuries by Year ......... 14

Figure 5. Types of Residential Fires Resulting in Child Deaths by Year ......... 14

Figure 6. Average Percent of Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Area of Origin 16

Figure 7. Children Playing Fires per Thousand of Total Reported Fires,

 1993-1997 ....................................................................... 19
4

Figure 8. Percent of Injuries from Matches and Lighters in Children Playing

 Fires .............................................................................. 20

Figure 9. Percent of Deaths from Matches and Lighters in Children Playing

 Fires .............................................................................. 21

Figure 10. Material Ignited in children Playing Fires Apportioned Unknown

 Responses........................................................................ 22

Figure 11. Percent of Casualties by Age Due to Children Playing Fires .......... 23

Figure 12. Percent of Child Casualties in All Fires Compared to Children

 Playing Fires .................................................................. 23

Figure 13. Percent Comparison of Reported Smoke Detector Status in Fires

 Resulting in Child Injuries ..................................................... 24

Figure 14. Percent Comparison of Reported Smoke Detector Status in Fires

 Resulting in Child Deaths ..................................................... 25
5

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to analyze and discuss the incidence of fires involving

children. According to National Center on Health Statistics data, there has been a

consistent decline in child mortality from fire over the past decade. However, hundreds

of child deaths from fire continue to occur each year. Children playing fires account for a

large portion of child fire deaths and the majority of fire-related deaths among children

are the result of residential fires. This report devotes sections to each of these factors.

Methodology

Data Sources

This report uses two primary data sources as the basis of analysis. The National Center

on Health Statistics (NCHS) data from 1994-1996 on child mortality from accidents due

to fire and flames (ICD code 890-899) and general population data are used to identify:

• number of annual deaths reported for each of three age groups (infant, 1-4,

and 5-9)

• deaths/million population

• risk factor based on age and ethnicity of victims (white and AfricanAmerican)

Portions of the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data from 1994-1997

are used to describe fires associated with child injuries and deaths. All states, and fire

departments within them, have been invited to participate in NFIRS on a voluntary basis.

Participating fire departments collect a common core of information on fire and casualty

reports using a common set of definitions. In 1995, thirty nine states and the District of

Columbia were reporting to NFIRS with 39% of the more than 33,000 fire departments

providing data to the system.1 NFIRS data provide information on fires of all types and

are used in studies conducted by many agencies including the Consumer Product Safety

Commission, Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban

Development.

In addition to the primary data sources, findings from the Consumer Product Safety

Commission (CPSC) are used to support some of the findings of the primary analysis.
6

CPSC data analysis uses NFIRS data and the National Fire Protection Association’s

(NFPA) annual survey of fire departments.

Definitions

Child - For the purpose of this report, a child is defined by the ages of birth through nine

years. This age range was chosen for two reasons. Using this age range corresponds to

the current age categories used by NCHS of: under one year, one to less than five years,

and five through nine years. Using this definition also enables comparison of findings of

the 1993 Children and Fire Report as well as other studies.

Adjusted Percentages – Where data sets contained unknowns, percentages were

adjusted by weighting the unknown incidents based on occurrence of known incidents.

The adjusted percentage was computed using only those incidents for which the cause

was provided. This, in effect, distributes the fires for which the cause is unknown in the

same proportion as the fires for which the cause is known. This method was used to

account for unknown data since the distribution of the unknowns is assumed to follow the

distribution of the knowns. It is the best method available without additional knowledge

of the nature of the unknown and is suggested and described in detail by both Hall and

Harwood 2 and in the tenth edition of Fire in the United States.

1

Population Numbers – Population numbers obtained from NCHS represent resident

population only and are estimates for the years utilized in this report.

Limitations

Although NFIRS is not a random sample, it is believed that the distribution of

participating fire departments is a reasonable representation of all fire departments in the

U.S. In 1995, over 835,400 fire incidents were collected by NFIRS; about 42% of the

estimated total attended by fire departments. 1 The actual numbers available in NFIRS

are cited in this report as the sample size (n =) notation found in the tables and charts.

A second limitation is that the data sets used for this report collect information using

different methods. Therefore, sample size numbers may vary among these data sets.
7

Demographic Profile

Child Fire Death Rates

Table 1 presents a general overview of the relationship of child mortality to overall

population fire deaths reported for the years 1994-1996. Although the actual number of

reported fire deaths for children has decreased over three years, the percentage of child

fire deaths in relationship to population for the age groups shows only a minimal

decrease. Table 1 shows the comparison of child fire deaths to that of the total

population. The population of children from birth to 10 years of age has decreased from

16% in 1994 to 14% in 1996. This has been accompanied by a decrease from 23% to

18% of the total fire deaths. Table 2 shows the comparison of child fire deaths by age

group. While the percentage of fire deaths in relationship to population has decreased

somewhat over those years, it still remains higher for children than for the general

population. This table also demonstrates the vulnerability of the 1through 4 age group.

Although decreasing from 65% on 1994, this age group still accounts for 60% of all the

reported fire deaths for children.

Table 1. Percent of Fire Deaths by Population

Age Year Population

% of

Population Fire Deaths

Total % of

Fire Deaths

Birth –9

years

1994 38,585,750 16 940 23

1995 38,811,104 15 734 20

1996 38,727,149 14 660 18

Over 10

1994 221,755,239 84 3046 77

1995 224,144,166 85 3027 80

1996 226,556,634 86 3081 82

Source: NCHS
8

Table 2. Percent of Child Fire Deaths by Age Group

Age Year Population % of

Population

Fire Deaths Total % of

Fire Deaths

Under 1

1994 3,870,185 3 93 2

1995 3,848,106 1 64 2

1996 3,769,485 1 56 2

1-4

1994 15,856,964 6 601 15

1995 15,743,042 6 446 12

1996 15,516,482 6 408 11

5-9

1994 18,858,601 7 246 6

1995 19,219,956 8 224 6

1996 19,441,182 7 196 5

Source: NCHS

Variation in Risk

The relative risk for fire death is determined by first determining the deaths per capita of

the overall population (number of deaths reported for each year divided by the total

population for the year). Then the deaths per capita for each age group is calculated and

divided by the per capita death rate of the overall population. For example, if the deaths

per capita for the general population for a given year was 19.32 and the deaths per capita

for those under the age of four were 41.99, those under the age of four have a 2.17

relative risk for fire death – over twice that of the general population.

Table 3 presents a breakdown of the overall risk for children dying in a fire for the years

1994-1996. Overall, the relative risk of dying in a fire has decreased slightly over three

years. However, the 1-4 age group is still 1 1⁄2 times more likely to die in a fire than the

general population (relative risk = 1.49).

The relative risk for children dying in a fire also varies considerably depending on gender

and ethnicity. Table 4 presents the breakdown of risk according to gender and ethnicity

for each age group. Ethnicity data is limited, since only white and African-American

data are collected separately by NCHS. Data presented in Table 4 are for the year 1996
9

only. Girls have a higher risk of fire death under the age of one. In the other two age

categories, boys have a higher risk.

Of particular concern is the variation in fire death risk based on ethnicity. African

American children are at considerably higher risk of fire death relative to white children

in all age categories. In 1991, African American males in the 1-4 age group were 6 times

(relative risk = 5.95) more likely to die in a fire than white males.3 Although down

slightly from 1991, African American males in the 1-4 age group are still 5 times more

likely to die in a fire than their white counterparts and remain at the highest relative risk

(5.17) for fire death.

Table 3. Relative Risk of Fire Death for Children

Age Year Fire Death

Rate/million

Relative Risk*

Under 1

1994 15.3 1.56

1995 14.3 1.17

1996 14.1 1.07

1-4

1994 15.3 2.08

1995 14.3 1.62

1996 14.1 1.49

5-9

1994 15.3 0.85

1995 14.3 0.82

1996 14.1 0.72

Source: NCHS

*Relative risk of general population is 1.00 based on the fire death rate for each year per million population

for the U.S. as a whole.
10

Table 4. Relative Risk of Fire Death for Children Based on Gender and Ethnicity

Compared to General Population

Age Gender/

Ethnicity

1996 Fire

Deaths

Deaths/

Million

Relative Risk*

Under 1

White/Male 16 10.66 0.76

White/Female 16 10.88 0.77

African/

American/Male 9 32.14 2.28

African/

American/Female 12 44.61 3.16

1-4

White/Male 141 22.42 1.59

White/Female 84 14.04 1.00

African/

American/Male 89 72.95 5.17

African/

American/Female 75 63.56 4.51

5-9

White/Male 68 8.63 0.61

White/Female 46 6.15 0.44

African/

American/Male 40 25.48 1.81

African/

American/Female 35 23.03 1.63

Source: NCHS

* Relative risk of the general population is 1.00 based on a fire death rate of 14.1 per million population for

the U.S. as a whole.

Patterns of Child Fire Deaths

Seasonal Patterns

Table 5 presents the break down by month for child injuries and deaths due to fire for the

years 1994-1997. Figures 1 and 2 display the annual average by month for child fire

injuries and deaths for the years 1994-1997. Injuries and deaths appear to follow the

same trends. The greatest percentage of child fire injuries and deaths has consistently

occurred during the winter months. This can be attributed to a degree to the fact that

people generally spend more time indoors during the coldest months and use heating

sources including furnace, fireplace and space heaters.
11

Table 5. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Month

1994 1995 19961997

Injuries

(n=1195)

Deaths

(n=468)

Injuries

(n=794)

Deaths

(n=312)

Injuries

(n=866)

Deaths

(n=293)

Injuries

(n=789)

Deaths

(n=253)

Jan 12.5 18.8 9.9 12.5 9.5 18.6 13.0 14.6

Feb 11.5 9.9 8.8 21.2 10.9 11.7 8.5 10.1

Mar 9.7 12.8 10.6 9.7 8.4 9.3 12.1 8.9

Apr 9.5 7.9 8.9 6.0 10.7 4.9 7.4 4.4

May 6.4 6.9 7.1 6.4 6.3 6.3 7.1 8.4

Jun 7.5 4.6 7.1 3.2 7.7 6.3 7.1 5.6

Jul 7.1 4.6 7.7 6.4 7.1 5.8 8.1 5.6

Aug 7.2 4.6 7.1 4.6 7.6 5.3 6.9 3.9

Sep 6.8 6.6 6.4 1.8 4.7 3.9 7.3 6.1

Oct 6.2 4.2 7.8 8.7 7.9 5.8 6.0 9.5

Nov 6.0 8.9 10.1 7.4 8.4 9.3 7.4 12.3

Dec 9.0 9.9 7.9 11.5 10.3 12.2 8.5 10.1

Source: NFIRS

Figure 1. Average Percent of Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Month

Source: NFIRS

 Weekday

Table 6 presents the breakdown of child injuries and deaths due to fire by weekday.

Figure 2 present the annual average of injuries and deaths for 1994-1997. Both injuries

and deaths are distributed relatively evenly throughout the week.

0

5

10

15

20

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Percent

Injuries

Deaths
12

Table 6. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Weekday

1994 1995 19961997

Injuries

(n=1195)

Deaths

(n=468)

Injuries

(n=794)

Deaths

(n=312)

Injuries

(n=866)

Deaths

(n=293)

Injuries

(n=789)

Deaths

(n=253)

Sun 11.6 12.5 14.3 14.8 16.8 14.7 16.5 11.2

Mon 14.3 14.8 14.1 13.4 14.6 10.7 16.5 16.8

Tues 13.4 11.5 13.9 10.1 12.2 14.7 11.4 12.3

Weds 15.5 13.8 12.3 10.6 15.5 13.7 14.0 15.7

Thurs 14.0 11.8 14.1 15.5 13.1 13.2 10.9 14.6

Fri 13.8 15.5 17.0 15.7 13.4 16.6 14.4 11.7

Sat 17.1 19.1 13.7 18.0 14.1 15.1 15.4 15.7

Unk 0.6 0.4 0.9 1.6

Source: NFIRS

Figure 2. Average Percent of Child Injuries and Deaths by Weekday

Source: NFIRS

Time of Day

Table 7 presents the breakdown of child injuries and deaths due to fire by time of day.

Figure 3 present the annual average of injuries and deaths for 1994-1997. With the

exception of 1996, the greatest number of injuries occurred from 0800-1159. With the

exception of 1994, the greatest number of deaths occurred between midnight and 0400.

The least number of both injuries and deaths occurred from 0400-0759.

Both injuries and deaths are more frequent during nighttime hours (8:00 PM to 8:00

AM). Most household members are likely to be asleep during these hours. That, coupled

0

5

1 0

1 5

2 0

S un M on Tue W ed Thu Fri S at

Percent

Injuries

Deaths
13

with the smoke detector data presented later in this report, may allow fires to extend

farther before they are detected, thus decreasing the chance of escape.

Table 7. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Time of Day

1994 1995 19961997

Injuries

(n=1195)

Deaths

(n=468)

Injuries

(n=794)

Deaths

(n=312)

Injuries

(n=866)

Deaths

(n=293)

Injuries

(n=789)

Deaths

(n=253)

0000-

0359 16.6 21.5 17.3 27.6 17.7 25.0 17.1 32.0

0400-

0759 11.7 17.7 11.0 18.3 11.6 16.0 11.8 13.9

0800-

1159 24.8 24.0 25.3 23.0 18.2 19.8 19.5 18.5

1200-

1559 16.6 13.5 14.7 9.6 16.3 11.3 18.3 12.4

1600-

1959 14.9 7.5 16.5 7.6 20.1 9.2 17.3 7.6

2000-

2359 15.3 15.8 14.6 13.8 15.8 18.4 15.0 15.3

Source: NFIRS

Figure 3. Average Percent of Child Injuries and Deaths by Time of Day

 Source: NFIRS

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0000-

0359

0400-

0759

0800-

1159

1200-

1559

1600-

1959

2000-

2359

Percent

Injuries

Deaths
14

Residential Fires

Where Fires Occur

Figures 4 and 5 present the type of residential fires that resulted in child injuries and

deaths for the years 1994-1997. The n noted is for number of reported incidents. Of the

fires that resulted in child injuries, an annual average of 90% were residential. Of the

fires that resulted in child deaths, an annual average of 94% were residential. The

majority of residential fires continue to occur in one and two family dwellings and

apartments. The percentage of fatalities attributable to residential fires in one and two

family dwellings is somewhat higher (74%) than for injuries (61%) in one and two family

dwellings. In contrast, the percentage of fatalities attributable to residential fires in

apartments is somewhat lower (20%) than for injuries (29%).

Figure 4. Types of Residential Fires Resulting in Child Injuries by Year

Source: NFIRS

Figure 5. Types of Residential Fires Resulting in Child Deaths by Year

Source: NFIRS

0

20

40

60

80

1994 

(n=850)

1995 

(n=726)

1996 

(n=630)

1997 

(n=575)

Percent

1-2 Family

A partment

0

2 0

4 0

6 0

8 0

100

1994 

(n=303)

1995 

(n=216)

1996 

(n=204)

1997 

(n=178)

Percent

1-2 Fam ily

Ap artm ent
15

Area of Fire Origin

The top-ranking areas of fire origin for reported child fire injuries and deaths remain the

same as those identified in the 1993 report: sleeping area, lounge area, and

kitchen/cooking area. Although the total percentage reported related to these areas has

decreased from the 71% in the 1993 report, they still account for over 60% of all child

fire injuries and deaths. Table 8 presents the breakdown for each of these areas by year.

Figure 6 compares the annual average for the years 1994-1997 for both injuries and

deaths. The percentage originating in the sleep area resulting in deaths remained

consistent with the findings (31%) of the 1993 report with the exception of 1996. The

25% noted for 1996 should be viewed as an isolated finding and not indicative of a

decreasing trend. The percentage originating in the lounge area resulting in deaths has

shown a slight decrease from the 31% noted in the 1993 report. The percentage of fires

originating in the kitchen/cooking area that resulted in deaths showed a consistent

decrease over the years of 1993 through 1996 (9% in 1993 to 6.8% in 1996). However,

the percentage doubled to 12.3% in 1997. At this point, this should also be considered an

isolated finding and further years should be studied.

Table 8. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Area of Origin

Adjusted to Include Apportioned Unknown Responses, 1994-1997

Injuries

1994

(n=850)

1995

(n=726)

1996

(n=630)

1997

(n=575)

 Sleep 33.0 35.5 30.4 29.3

 Lounge 16.1 17.0 15.8 13.7

 Kitchen 13.4 12.9 21.1 20.5

 Unknown* 5.0 4.0 5.1 5.5

Deaths

1994

(n=303)

1995

(n=216)

1996

(n=204)

1997

(n=178)

 Sleep 32.6 33.3 25.0 30.3

 Lounge 25.7 22.6 28.9 20.7

 Kitchen 8.2 6.9 6.8 12.3

 Unknown* 9.2 9.6 10.2 8.4

Source: NFIRS; *Unknowns included for reference.
16

Figure 6. Average Percent of Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Area of Origin

Source: NFIRS; Adjusted Percentages

Causes of Fires

This section analyzes causes of reported fires involving child injuries and deaths for the

years 1994-1997 from two aspects. The first aspect looks at equipment involved in

ignition. The second aspect looks at the ignition factor.

Equipment Involved in Ignition

Approximately one-third of reported fires resulting in child injuries and deaths over the

four years reviewed involved some type of equipment in ignition. Table 9 presents the

breakdown of the four top-ranking equipment related causes for injuries and deaths.

Cooking equipment was the leading cause of injuries with over two-thirds of the injuries

the result of stoves. Heating systems were the leading cause of deaths.

0

5

1 0

1 5

2 0

2 5

3 0

3 5

S le e p L o u n g e K itch e n

Percent

In ju rie s

D e a th s
17

Table 9. Percent of Reported Child Fire Injuries and Deaths by Equipment

Involved Adjusted to Include Apportioned Unknown Responses, 1994-1997

Injuries

1994

(n=850)

1995

(n=726)

1996

(n=630)

1997

(n=575)

 Heating 9.5 9.6 8.0 7.1

 Cooking

 (Fixed Surface)

10.0

 (6.9)

 9.4

 (7.4)

15.9

(12.0)

17.7

(11.8)

 Electrical 6.6 8.3 7.0 7.6

 Appliances 4.2 4.2 3.0 3.7

 Unknown* 15.2 15.3 15.3 14.1

Deaths

1994

(n=468)

1995

(n=312)

1996

(n=293)

1997

(n=253)

 Heating 15.0 11.5 16.4 13.0

 Cooking

 (Fixed Surface)

 3.2

 (1.9)

 5.1

 (4.5)

 3.1

 (2.4)

 5.1

 (5.1)

 Electrical 7.9 10.6 5.5 9.1

 Appliances 1.7 2.9 1.7 3.2

 Unknown* 27.3 26.3 23.9 29.6

Source: NFIRS; * Unknowns included for reference

Ignition Factors

Data were reviewed for major forms of ignition and types and forms of material ignited.

Over one-third of all fires involving child injuries and deaths were the result of open

flame. Matches as the form of ignition remained relatively constant over the four years.

There was a consistent yearly decrease in injuries (from 27% in 1994 to 18.4% in 1997)

and in deaths (from 22.2% in 1994 to 12.6% in 1997) related to lighters over the four

year period. However, matches and lighters still accounted for over two thirds of the

reported open flame fires resulting in child injuries and deaths. Table 10 presents the

percent of child injuries and deaths for 1994-1997 resulting from reported open flame

fires as the form of ignition. It includes the breakdown of the percent of open flame fires

attributed to matches and lighters.
18

Table 10. Percent of Child Injuries and Deaths in Open Flame Fires Adjusted to

Include Apportioned Unknown Responses, 1994-1997

Injuries

1994

(n=1195)

1995

(n=794)

1996

(n=866)

1997

(n=789)

Open Flame 48.9 48.9 44.1 42.7

 Matches 12.4 16.4 13.3 12.8

 Lighter 27.0 21.5 20.1 18.4

Unknown*

Ignition Form 21.6 19.3 17.9 21.7

Deaths

1994

(n=468)

1995

(n=312)

1996

(n=293)

1997

(n=253)

Open Flame 40.8 38.1 34.5 34.4

 Matches 13.9 13.8 10.9 11.1

 Lighter 22.2 19.2 13.7 12.6

Unknown*

Ignition Form 35.5 43.9 34.2 43.2

Source: NFIRS; * Unknown included for reference

Based on adjusted percentages, NFIRS data from 1994-1997 also revealed that an annual

average of 57% of all reported child fire injuries and 50% of all child deaths include

either misuse of heat ignition or misuse of material involved in ignition. Over half (58%)

of the child fire injuries and 62% of the child fatalities involving misuse of heat ignition

or misuse of material involved in ignition were attributed to children playing.

Children Playing Fires

Children playing fires account for a large proportion of reported child fire injuries and

deaths. Although, not a total data set of all fires and related deaths and injuries, NFIRS

provides a reasonable overall picture of the scope of the problem. Figure 7 presents the

number of reported children playing fires for 1994-1997. The 1993 report estimated

25,400 children playing fires occurred in 19933

 (p.22). Thus, 28.1 per thousand of all

fires reported to NFIRS in 1993 were children playing fires. In 1997, 23.6 per thousand

of all fires reported to NFIRS were children playing fires, a slight decrease from 1993. A

review of the intervening years reveals an increase in 1994 to 36.2 per thousand of total

fires reported. From 1995 through 1997, a small, but consistent, decrease is seen.
19

Figure 7 illustrates the number of children playing fires per thousand total fires reported

from 1993 through 1997.

Figure 7. Children Playing Fires per Thousand of Total Reported Fires, 1993-1997

Source: NFIRS

Form of Heat Ignition

Lighters and matches remain the first and second most common forms of heat ignition in

reported children playing fires. The easy availability of matches and lighters and their

relative ease in use likely accounts for this high proportion of cases. These data highlight

the importance of keeping these materials out of the hands of children.

Down from the 1993 report showing matches as the form of heat ignition in 58% of

children playing fires, they are still the most common form. The decrease from the

percent noted in the 1993 report has remained relatively consistent at an annual average

of 42.2%. Lighters as a form of heat ignition has remained consistent at an annual

average of 20.5%, down slightly from the 22% in the 1993 report.

Although matches are the leading form of ignition in children playing fires, lighters

account for more injuries and deaths. However, the discrepancy appears to be narrowing.

The fact that most lighters sold today are “child proof” as the result of the CPSC lighter

regulation may account for some of the decrease in injuries and deaths attributed to

lighters and for some of the decrease in the overall number of children playing fires.

0

5

1 0

1 5

2 0

2 5

3 0

3 5

4 0

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

Per Thousand
20

Table 11 shows the breakdown of injuries and fatalities from matches and lighters in

children playing fires by year. Figures 8 and 9 show these data graphically.

Table 11. Percent of Reported Injuries and Deaths from Matches and Lighters in

Children Playing Fires Adjusted to Include Apportioned Unknown Responses

 1994-1997

Injuries

1994

(n=1336)

1995

(n=1131)

1996

(n=1098)

1997

(n=800)

Matches 28.7 30.9 38.0 35.8

Lighter 54.6 48.5 44.4 40.8

Deaths

1994

(n=149)

1995

(n=85)

1996

(n=71)

1997

(n=65)

 Matches 30.9 34.1 32.4 26.2

 Lighter 51.7 56.5 46.5 43.1

Unknown*

Ignition Form 17.8 15.6 14.4 10.4

Source: NFIRS; * Unknown included for reference

Figure 8. Percent of Injuries from Matches and Lighters in Children Playing Fires

Source: NFIRS ; Adjusted percentages

Figure 9. Percent of Deaths from Matches and Lighters in Children Playing Fires

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1994 1995 1996 1997

Percent

Matches

Lighter
21

Source: NFIRS; Adjusted percentages

Material Ignited

Of the nine NFIRS categories for material ignited, two-thirds of all children playing fires

reported for 1994-1997 are relatively evenly distributed between three categories:

grass/leaves, wood/paper, and fabric. Grass/leaves account for approximately 25% of all

reported children playing fires. The fact that so many fires are set by children outdoors

raises an interesting issue. “Children playing” fires involve three categories of child fire

setters. These are children too young to understand the dangerous implications of playing

with fire, children having reached the “age of reason” (usually defined as eight and

older), and children who set fires intentionally. This last category raises special concerns.

According to the United States Fire Administration’s report “Arson and Juveniles:

Responding to the Violence”, two-thirds of all arson fires in 1994 occurred outdoors.4

Intervention may be needed to prevent these “children playing” fire setters from

becoming juvenile fire setters and, perhaps, juvenile or adult arsonists.

Although NFIRS data do not allow identification of the age of a child who starts a fire,

one hypothesis is that younger children set more indoor fires, especially those involving

the ignition of fabrics, and older children are more involved with igniting materials found

outdoors. Figure 10 depicts the breakdown of material ignited in the reported children

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1994 1995 1996 1997

Percent

Matches

Lighter
22

playing fires for the years 1994-1997. “Paper/cardboard” is a subcategory of

Wood/Paper and “cotton” is a subcategory of Fabrics. These subcategories account for

half of the material ignited in each of their respective categories.

Figure 10. Material Ignited in Children Playing Fires Adjusted to Include

Apportioned Unknown Responses

Source: NFIRS; Adjusted Percentages

Victims of Children Playing Fires

Victims of children playing fires occur in all age groups, but children themselves account

for the greatest number of victims. Combining age groups to include those from birth

through nine years, children account for over one-third of the reported casualties resulting

from children playing fires. Figure 11 displays the breakdown by age group of all

reported fire casualties associated with children playing fires for the years 1994-1997.

This varies from the 1993 report that analyzed deaths due to children playing fires by age

group for only residential fires.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1994 1995 1996 1997

Percent

Grass

Paper

Fabric
23

Figure 11. Percent of Casualties by Age Due to Children Playing Fires

Source: NFIRS; Adjusted Percentages

An additional comparison of child casualties between the total casualty data and the

children playing fires data was also conducted. Comparing these data further supports

the fact that the majority of child fire casualties occur in relationship to children playing

fires. This should further the concern for the need to remove materials that can ignite

fires from the reach of children. Figure 12 presents the reported total child fire casualties

compared to child casualties related to children playing fires.

Figure 12. Percent of Child Casualties in All Fires Compared to Children Playing

Fires

Source: NFIRS; Adjusted Percentages

0

10

20

30

40

50

1994

(n=17,719)

1995

(n=15,860)

1996

(n=15,718)

1997

(n=12,149)

Percent

All Fires

Children Playing Fires

0

10

20

30

40

50

1994

n=1480

1995

n=1216

1996

n-1170

1997

n=865

Percent

0-9 years

10-19 years

20-29 years

30-39 years

40-49 years

50 and over
24

Impact of Smoke Detectors

The importance of smoke detectors in preventing fire injuries and deaths among children

cannot be overstated. Figures 13 and 14 show smoke detector status in fires involving

child injuries and deaths for the years 1994-1997. Data used in these figures are only for

cases where detector presence and operability were known.

Based on reported data, the impact of detectors is compelling. Two-thirds of the annual

reported child fire injuries and over three-fourths of child fire deaths occurred where

there was no operable smoke detector. This raises a concern of a potential false sense of

security with a detector present. It also reinforces the importance of educating the public

to changing batteries on a regular basis to maintain existing detectors and placing

detectors in sleeping areas where approximately one-third of fires involving child injuries

and deaths originate.

Figure 13. Percent Comparison of Reported Smoke Detector Status in Fires

Resulting in Child Injuries

Source: NFIRS

0

10

20

30

40

50

1994

n=882

1995

n=708

1996

n=613

1997

n=539

Percent

Present/Operated

Present/Not

Operated

Not Present
25

Figure 14. Percent Comparison of Reported Smoke Detector Status in Fires

Resulting in Child Deaths

Source: NFIRS

Conclusions

This report has highlighted a number of facts about the fire experiences of children in the

U.S. that should help mold public education efforts aimed at this target group. Among

the key findings are:

• All children do not experience the same risk. Younger children (birth through

4 years) are at a significantly higher risk than older children (5 through 9

years). Among all children under age ten, African American children face

inordinate fire risks relative to white children. This finding must be taken in

context of other studies that show a strong correlation between socioeconomic

factors such as poverty and education. A larger percentage of African

Americans fall into the poverty and lower education categories than other

cultures. The reader is referred to the United States Fire Administration,

Socioeconomic Factors and the Incidence of Fire report for further

information. However, the findings of this report should help public

educators target their efforts to affected groups to make them aware of the

gravity of the situation.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1994

n=305

1995

n=197

1996

n=204

1997

n=163

Percent

Present/Operated

Present/Not

Operated

Not Present
26

• Data demonstrate that the majority of child fire deaths occur during the colder

months. This is substantiated in the data that show heating equipment as the

top-ranking cause in fires with equipment involved in ignition.

• Although occurrence of injuries and deaths is relatively consistent for day of

the week, the time of day analysis shows the greatest number of injuries

occurred from 0800-1159 and the greatest number of deaths occurred between

midnight and 0400.

• The majority of fires resulting in child fire injuries and deaths originate in the

sleeping area, with the most common form of material ignited indoors being

fabric.

• Children playing fires are a major factor in fire injuries and deaths in general

and child fire injuries and deaths in specific. Comparison of NFIRS data

reveals that the majority of all child injuries and deaths are related to children

playing fires. These fires are usually started with matches or a lighter. These

findings highlight the critical importance of adequate supervision of children.

• A disproportionate number of child fire injuries and deaths occur in homes

without operating smoke detectors. Universal installation in high incidence

areas of fire origin and maintenance of smoke detectors is of the utmost

importance for the prevention of future child fire deaths.
27

References

1

 United States Fire Administration. (1995). Fire in the United States (10th ed.); 11-16.

2

 Hall, J. & Harwood, B. (1989). The national estimates approach to U.S. fire statistics.

Fire Technology, 25(2); 99-113.

3

 United States Fire Administration (1991). Children and fire. p. 6.

4 United States Fire Administration (1994). Arson and juveniles: responding to the

violence. p. 3.