- Author
- U.S. Fire Administration | National Fire Data Center
- Title
- Residential Fires and Child Casualties.
- Coporate
- U.S. Fire Administration, Washington, DC National Fire Data Center, Washington, DC
- Journal
- Topical Fire Research Series, Vol. 5, No. 2, 1-5, April 2005
- Keywords
- fire statistics | fire data | fire fatalities | residential buildings | children
- Identifiers
- causes of residential fires with child casualties (2002); activity at time of residential child casualties (2002); monthly incidence of residential fires with child casualties; residential child fire casualties (percent)
- Abstract
- Findings: **In 2002, an estimated 2,490 children age 14 or younger were injured or killed in residential fires. Fifty-six percent of child fire casualty deaths were under the age of 5. **Fires and burns were the third leading cause of unintentional fatal injuries to children age 14 or younger in 2002. They were the third leading cause of unintentional injuries to infants and the 12th overall cause of unintentional injuries to children age 14 or younger, accounting for 121,000 injuries in 2002. ** Arson, open flame, and heating were the leading causes of fires resulting in child fire deaths in 2002. Open flame, arson, and cooking were the leading causes of fires resulting in child fire injuries. Child playing fires were not a significant cause of either deaths or injuries among children in 2002. **Upholstered furniture, cooking materials, bedding, and mattresses were the primary materials first ignited in fires that resulted in child casualties. Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death and injuries among children.The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that fires and burns were the third leading cause of unintentional fatal injuries to children age 14 or younger in 2002. Fire and burns were the third leading cause of unintentional injuries to infants and the 12th overall cause of unintentional injuries among children age 14 or younger, accounting for 121,000 injuries in 2002. An estimated 1,930 children age 14 or younger were injured and 560 were killed in residential fi res in 2002.4 Of these fire casualties, 48% were under the age of 5 and 70% were under the age of 10.