NFPA Journal - July/August 2013 - (Page 79)

In 2011, eight out of nine fireworks injuries reported to emergency rooms involved fireworks that federal regulations permit consumers to use. Sparklers, fountains, and novelties alone accounted for one-third of emergency room fireworks injuries. The trend in fireworks-related injuries has been mostly in the range of 8,500 to 9,800 since 1997, except for spikes in 2000, primarily due to celebrations around the advent of a new millennium, and in 2004, and a sharp drop in 2008. Injuries were higher from 1985 through 1995 than they were in 1997 and later years. One-quarter of the victims of fireworks injuries in 2011 were under the age of 15. In an atypical year, the highest rates of injuries per million population applied to a wide range of ages, including children aged 5 to 19 and adults aged 25 to 44. Males accounted for two-thirds of fireworks injuries. Fireworks started an estimated 17,800 reported fires in 2011, which resulted in an estimated 40 civilian injuries, as well as $32 million in direct property damage. No fire deaths were reported for that year. From 2007 through 2011, 91 percent of the average of 19,700 fires associated with fireworks annually occurred outside a structure or vehicle. The largest numbers of these outdoor fires were grass fires, brush fires, dumpster fires , unclassified or unknown-type natural or vegetation fires, and other outside trash, rubbish, or waste fires. During that same period, four people were killed annually in fires started by fireworks, while data from death certificates show that five people per year were killed directly by fireworks. These estimates may overlap, because fireworks can directly kill someone while also starting a fatal fire. According to data from 2000 through 2010, the risk of fire death relative to hours of usage is higher for fireworks than for cigarettes. On Independence Day in a typical year, fireworks account for two of five of all reported fires, more than any other cause of fire. UL Listed Protection U.S. Fire Department Profile through 2011 Michael J. Karter, Jr. and Gary P. Stein NFPA estimates that there were approximately 1,100,450 firefighters in the United States in 2011. Of these, 31 percent were career firefighters, and 69 percent were volunteer firefighters. Most of the career firefighters protect communities of 25,000 or more people, while most of the volunteer firefighters protect communities of fewer than 25,000 people. There were also an estimated 30,145 U.S. fire departments. Of these, 2,550 departments are all career, 1,865 are mostly career, 5,530 are mostly volunteer, and 20,200 are all volunteer. Forty-five percent provide EMS service, and 15 percent provide EMS service and advance life support. Forty percent of the departments provide no EMS support. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment John r. hall, Jr. In 2010, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 57,100 home structure fires in the United States, killing 490 civilians, injuring 1,530 civilians, and causing $1.1 billion in direct property damage. The estimated home heating fire total was down 3 percent from the previous year and 75 percent from 1980. Associated deaths were up 3 percent from 2009 but down 52 percent from 1980. Associated civilian injuries were up by less than 1 percent compared to 2009 and down by 57 percent from 1980. Direct property damage adjusted for inflation was also up by less than 1 percent We Have You Covered · These UL Listed covers help protect equipment that protects lives. · Helps guard against false activation, vandalism and accidental damage. · Covers help reduce false alarms. · Constructed of tough polycarbonate or 9-gauge steel wire coated with corrosion resistant polyester. · Many models available. Safety Technology International, Inc. www.sti-usa.com/nfpa24 800-888-4784 2013 STI JUly/aUGUSt NFPA JOURNAL 79

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - July/August 2013

NFPA Journal - July/August 2013
Contents
First Word
In a Flash
Perspectives
Firewatch
Research
Heads Up
Structural Ops
In Compliance
Buzzwords
Outreach
Electrical Safety
Wildfire Watch
Loud + Clear
Allied in Safety
Front Burner
Firefighter Fatalities in the United States, 2012
Fire Analysis + Research
Section Spotlight
What’s Hot
Looking Back

NFPA Journal - July/August 2013