HomeMy Public PortalAboutFire Risk Children_1 U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Data Center
The Fire Risk to Children
Topical Fire Research Series, Volume 4 - Issue 8
December 2004
�pA�1,Y
FEMA
'HD 5 '
TOPICAL FIRE RESEARCH SERIES
The Fire Risk to Children
December 2004 Volume 4, Issue 8
Findings
■ The relative risk of children under age 15 dying in a fire is about the same as the
general population. However, when dividing the young into subgroups, over 50%
of all child fire deaths occur to those under age 5. These children are usually
unable to escape from a fire independently.
■ The number of fire injuries are also highest in the under age 5 bracket, decline in
the middle years, but rise again in the 10-14 age group. This is a different pat-
tern than deaths, which decrease as children age.
■ Boys are at higher risk of death from fire than girls. African American and Ameri-
can Indian children are at an increased risk of death from fire.
■ Children in the poorest homes face the greatest risk of death.
■ Children playing is the leading cause of child fire injuries; suspicious (arson)
activity is the leading cause of child deaths. One-third of arson fires are attrib-
uted to children under age 15.
■ Fire deaths and injuries have declined over the past decade—both to children
and the general population.A major reason for the decline is the greater preva-
lence of smoke alarms. The mandatory 1994 safety standard that required dis-
posable lighters to be child resistant has prevented thousands of fires in which
children would have been at risk.
It is an unfortunate fact that young children face an elevated risk of injury or death in a fire. Very young chil-
dren are typically dependent to some degree on others for their safety. Those older are more mobile, but may not
have sufficient abilities to protect themselves. Although many factors influence the risk children face, more often
than not age—and more specifically immaturity—dominates. This topical report provides a brief analysis of the
fire risk for children between birth and age 14.
The concept of"risk"with respect to fire casualties can be addressed in several ways: absolute numbers of
deaths and injuries, proportions (percent) of these casualties, rates (per unit, usually fires or population), and rela-
tive risk. Each measure is useful but in different ways, and each has its drawbacks. The absolute number of casual-
ties is an important consideration—it is a concrete measure of the size or magnitude of the problem, but does not
address the magnitude relative to other aspects of the problem. In this case, proportions are used to compare the
relative size of the problem. Yet, these proportions do not convey the magnitude of the problem as does the abso-
lute number of casualties. Neither of these two measures is useful for comparisons across different groups. For
comparison across groups, a common basis is used to determine rates. These rates then account for any differences
in group sizes that might affect the size of the problem.I In comparing fire rates, the relative risk of dying or being
injured is a helpful measure. The relative risk of a group is calculated by comparing its rate to the rate of the over-
all population. The result is a measure of how likely a particular group is to be affected. A detailed discussion of per
capita rates and relative risk can be found in the Topical Series report, Fire Risk (Vol. 4, Issue 7, December 2004).
When evaluated in the aggregate, children have a relative risk of fire death similar to that of the general popu-
lation. (For 2001, however, this relative risk is lower than the general population.) But grouping all children from
DepartmentEmergency
Management -
United States Fire Administration* National Fire Data Center
Emmitsburg,
••
1
zero to age 14 together can be misleading. The deaths and injuries are substantially higher for the youngest popu-
lation, those children age four and under. In this analysis, children are divided into age subgroups to better under-
stand how risk varies as children grow older. The groupings are age 4 and under, age 5 to 9, and age 10 to 14.
WHO IS AFFECTED
In 2001, nearly 600 children under the age of 15 were killed as a result of fires (Table 1).2 Although fire
deaths have decreased in recent years, the fire death record in the United States remains among the highest in the
industrialized world. Children aged 14 and under account for 15% to 20% of fire deaths, depending on the data
source.3 The youngest children are especially hard hit—over 50% of child fire deaths affect children under the age
of S. For children under age 15 in 2001, deaths from fire and burns are the second leading cause of nontransporta-
tion accidental deaths.4
TABLE 1. CHILD FIRE DEATHS AND INJURIES, 2001
All 0-14 0-4 5-9 10-14
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Deaths 599 100 320 53.4 181 30.2 98 16.4
Injuries 2,926 100 1,420 48.5 575 19.7 931 31.8
Source:NCHS(deaths);NFIRS and NFPA(injuries)
Fire injuries affected an estimated 2,900 children in 2001. Again, the youngest suffer a large share of inju-
ries—nearly 50% of child fire injuries occur to children under age 5 (Table 1). Though fire deaths declined consis-
tently in the older age groups, fire injuries declined between the young preschoolers and the younger school-aged
children (ages 5 to 9) but rose for older children (Table 1). Children accounted for 14% of all fire injuries.
Age, demographics (e.g., gender), and socioeconomic factors of children and the households where they live
all come into play in determining fire risk. As the age of the child increases, the likelihood of dying in a fire
decreases. Children under age 5 are more likely to die as the result of fire than the general population while chil-
dren 5 to 14 have a substantially lower risk. For all age categories, boys were at greater danger than girls (Table
2).5 African American children are at greater risk than the national average—African Americans comprise a large
and disproportionate share of total fire deaths, accounting for 3 5% of fire deaths among children. In 2 0 01, African
American children age 4 and below had a relative risk of dying that was nearly three times higher than the general
population, compared to an elevated risk of only 1.2 for all children in that age group. For children of American
Indians that year, the relative risk was 0.8, but in children 4 and under, the risk rose to 1.3.
WHY CHILDREN ARE AT RISK
Escaping from a fire can be difficult for children. A child aged 4 or under is usually too young to escape from a
fire independently. Children of this age generally lack the mental faculties to understand the need and the means of
quickly escaping a burning structure. In 2001, over half(53%) of child fire fatalities and 49% of child fire injuries
were among preschoolers (Table 1). Even in their own homes, very young children lack an understanding of how
to escape.
Physiologically, young children are susceptible to severe injury or death from fire. A young child's skin is quite
thin compared to adults and older children. As a result, young children can suffer deep burns more rapidly.6 Expo-
sure to toxic byproducts of fire are especially serious to children-33% of fatalities in children under age 15 were
the result of asphyxiation as compared to 26% of older fatalities, aged 15 and above.
In addition to not recognizing the danger, young children are curious and will touch and manipulate most
items left within their reach. This includes matches, cigarette lighters, candles, stoves, and fireworks. The majority
of child-playing fires involve matches and lighters, although lighters contribute more often than matches to the
deaths, injuries, and property damage in playing-related fires. Playing with these heat sources results in large num-
bers of fires—over 34,000 fires in 2001, of which 8,000 were in homes. In 2001, playing with fire was the lead-
ing cause of fire injuries among children and accounted for 19% of fire-related injuries (Table 3). For school age
2
TABLE 2. CHILD FIRE DEATHS, 2001
2001 2001 Death Rate Relative
Gender/Race Population Fire Deaths (per million) Risk
ALL CHILDREN(AGE 0-14)
Total 60,482,119 599 9.9 0.7
Male 30,958,761 361 11.7 0.8
Female 28,523,358 238 8.1 0.6
White 46,280,132 380 8.2 0.6
African American 9,487,444 210 22.1 1.6
American Indian 740,542 8 10.8 0.8
Asian/Pacific 2,343,120 1 0.4 0.0
White Male 23,748,525 228 9.6 0.7
African American Male 4,814,914 126 26.2 1.9
American Indian Male 376,449 6 15.9 1.1
Asian/Pacific Male 1,192,485 1 0.8 0.1
White Female 22,531,607 152 6.7 0.5
African American Female 4,672,530 84 18.0 1.3
American Indian Female 364,093 2 5.5 0.4
Asian/Pacific Female 1,150,635 - - -
Total 19,363,555 t 320 16.5 1.2
Male 9,900,481 196 19.8 1.4
Female 9,463,074 124 13.1 0.9
White 14,788,909 201 13.6 1.0
African American 2,952,590 115 38.9 2.8
American Indian 222,328 4 18.0 1.3
Asian/Pacific 778,931 - - -
White Male 7,580,197 126 16.6 1.2
African American Male 1,498,498 67 44.7 3.2
American Indian Male 113,363 3 26.5 1.9
Asian/Pacific Male 393,265 - - -
White Female 7,208,712 75 10.4 0.7
African American Female 1,454,092 48 33.0 2.4
American Indian Female 108,965 1 9.2 0.7
Asian/Pacific Female 385,666 - - -
Total 20,208,124 181 9.0 0.6
Male 10,347,035 113 10.9 0.8
Female 9,861,089 68 6.9 0.5
White 15,423,793 115 7.5 0.5
African American 3,214,371 64 19.9 1.4
American Indian 249,399 1 4.0 0.3
Asian/Pacific 777,477 1 1.3 0.1
White Male 7,918,050 69 8.7 0.6
African American Male 1,631,914 42 25.7 1.8
American Indian Male 126,424 1 7.9 0.6
Asian/Pacific Male 395,417 1 2.5 0.2
White Female 7,505,743 46 6.1 0.4
African American Female 1,582,457 22 13.9 1.0
American Indian Female 122,975 - - -
Asian/Pacific Female 382,060 - - -
(continued)
3
TABLE 2. CHILD FIRE DEATHS, 2001 (cont'd)
2001 2001 Death Rate Relative
Gender/Race Population Fire Deaths (per million) Risk
Total 20,910,440 98 4.7 0.3
Male 10,711,245 52 4.9 0.3
Female 10,199,195 46 4.5 0.3
White 16,067,430 64 4.0 0.3
African American 3,320,483 31 9.3 0.7
American Indian 268,815 3 11.2 0.8
Asian/Pacific 786,712 - - -
White Male 8,250,278 33 4.0 0.3
African American Male 1,684,502 17 10.1 0.7
American Indian Male 136,662 2 14.6 1.0
Asian/Pacific Male 403,803 - - -
White Female 7,817,152 31 4.0 0.3
African American Female 1,635,981 14 8.6 0.6
American Indian Female 132,153 1 7.6 0.5
Asian/Pacific Female 382,909 - - -
Source:NCHS 2001 mortality data;Population Division,U.S.Census Bureau,Table NA-EST2002-ASRO-03-
National Population Estimates-Characteristics,Release Date:June 18,2003,
http://www.census.gov/popestlarchives/2000s/vintage-2002/NA-EST2002-ASRO-03.html
and Population Division,U.S.Census Bureau,detail files for Monthly Population Estimates,2000 to 2002,
http://www.census.gov/popest/archives/2000s/vintage.2002/files/2002RESIDENT2001 MONTHS07-12.txt
Note:Relative risk may not compute due to rounding.
TABLE 3. LEADING CAUSES OF CHILD FIRE INJURIES, 2001 (percent)
All0-14 0-4 5-9 10-14
Children Playing 19.1 12.8 37.6 16.7
Incendiary/Suspicious 18.0 17.0 19.5 18.7
Cooking 16.2 18.6 9.8 16.7
Open Flame,Ember,Torch 13.9 13.5 12.8 15.3
Source:NFIRS 2001
children, ages 5-14, however, this percentage is higher-playing with fire accounted for 25% of fire-related inju-
ries. Fourteen percent of child fire deaths were the result of children playing (Table 4).
The home is a dangerous place for young children: the majority of casualties to children-approximately 86%
of fatalities and 83% of injuries-occurred in residential fires in 2001.7
Socioeconomic factors have an effect on the fire risk to the youngest and most dependent children. The danger
of death or injury is closely tied to household income. Children in the poorest homes are exposed to the greatest
risk. A number of factors contribute to this elevated threat: the poor often live in substandard housing in crowded
TABLE 4. LEADING CAUSES OF CHILD FIRE DEATHS, 2001 (percent)
All0-14 0-4 5-9 10-14
Incendiary/Suspicious 22.4 31.4 12.2 13.0
Open Flame,Ember,Torch 14.9 8.6 22.0 21.7
Children Playing 14.2 17.1 14.6 4.3
Cooking 10.4 5.7 14.6 17.4
Electrical Distribution 10.4 11.4 14.6 -
Source:NFIRS 2001
Note:Leading causes shown are determined for all child fire casualties;leading causes in an age group may vary from those shown.
4
conditions, children are more likely to be left alone than in affluent households, many of these children live in
single-parent households, and there are more children to supervise.$
CAUSES AND PREVENTION
In recent years, the deaths among younger children from playing has seen a downturn, in part because of
product changes to lighters. In 1994, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) set a mandatory safety
standard that requires disposable lighters and certain novelty lighters to be child resistant. The standard covers
more than 95% of the 600 million lighters purchased in the United States each year.9 A study by the Directorate
for Epidemiology of the CPSC found a 58% reduction in cigarette lighter fires caused by children resulting in the
prevention of 3,300 fires, 100 deaths, 660 injuries, and $52.5 million in property losses just in the year 1998.10
Arson was suspected to be the most probable cause of 10% of all residential fires in 2001. FBI statistics suggest
that children account for more than half of all arrests for arson, and more than one-third were 14 or younger.I 1 In
2001, fires of suspicious origin were responsible for 2 2% of the fire deaths and 18% of the injuries among chil-
dren. Preteens start fires as part of play in a relatively normal phase of development, but older juvenile firesetters
often have psychological problems that may relate to stress, such as child abuse or learning disabilities.12
Smoke alarms are unanimously credited with saving thousands of lives each year. Dramatic gains in injury pre-
vention and survival rates have been seen since the devices came onto the market in the 1970s. New studies, how-
ever, question the efficacy of these alarms to alerting children. According to research conducted in Australia and
Canada, sleeping children do not respond appropriately to the alarm. According to psychologist Dorothy Bruck,
Victoria University, Australia, children have different sleep patterns from adults, sleep more soundly for longer
periods, and are more difficult to rouse. Bruck has been studying the issue since the late 1990s. For children 15
and under, the reliable waking rate was less than 6%. Bruck and her associates found that the risk factor changed
when there was an adult around to wake the children, but many of the children remained groggy for some time
and their responses were slowed.13
The CPSC has taken the lead in research concerning children, fire, and smoke alarms. Meanwhile, Bruck and
other researchers have embarked on a new series of studies to test the effectiveness of smoke alarms in awakening
children.
CONCLUSION
Children are some of the nation's most vulnerable residents and merit special attention to reduce their risk of
injury or death from fire. Gains have been made in reducing fire deaths and injuries among children. CPSC contin-
ues to look at products that pose additional fire risks for children, and education programs are conducted to teach
young children about the dangers associated with fire and also to teach their caregivers. Yet large numbers of
young children continue to die from fire-related injuries each year.
Appropriate oversight of small children is one of the most effective means of preventing injury or death from
all sources. A greater understanding of why children are at an elevated risk of death and injury from fire is still
required. So, too, are strategies to lower that risk. A number of resources are available to help address the fire
problem for children. Because children account for 15% to 20% of fire deaths and 14% of fire injuries, the USFA
has been working toward the goal of reducing fire deaths and injuries to children. A number of resources to help
address the fire problem for children and adults are available. USFA's fire safety campaign for babies and toddlers
at http://www.usfaparents.gov/ provides parents with home strategies ranging from the control of matches and
lighters to home escape planning to protect young children from fire.
To request additional information or comment on this report, visit
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/feed back
5
Notes:
1 In the case of fire casualties,this common basis is a population of 1 million,which means that fire rates are measured by inci-
dents,deaths,or injuries per million persons.
2 Fire deaths are extracted from the National Center for Health Statistics(NCHS)mortality data;estimates of fire injuries are from
the National Fire Protection Association's(NFPA's) annual survey.
3 National Fire Incidence Reporting System(NFIRS) data for 2001 indicates 20%of fire deaths occurred in the 14 and under age
group;data extracted from NCHS indicate these deaths are 15%of all fire deaths for 2001.
4 National Center for Health Statistics,"National Vital Statistics Reports,"Vol. 52,No.3,September 18,2003.
5 Due to rounding to one decimal place,the relative risk for boys and girls aged 10-14 appears equal in several instances in Table
2.In these instances,in 2001,boys still have a slightly elevated risk compared to girls.
6 Fire Smart,http://nfpa.org/riskwatch/topfrreburn.html
7 NFIRS data, 2001.
8 Socioeconomic Factors and the Incidence of Fire,U.S.Fire Administration,FA 170,June 1997.
9 Child-Resistant Lighters Protect Young Children,CPSC Document#5021,http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5021.htm1
10 "Study of the effectiveness of the US safety standard for child resistant cigarette lighters,"Injury Prevention 2002:8: 192-196.
http://vvww.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA03/os/lighters.pdf
11 Juvenile Offenders and Victims 1999 National Report,Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,U.S.Department of Justice,
1999.
12 U.S.Arson Trends and Patterns,NFPA,January 2000.
13 Dorothy Bruck, "Non-awakening in children in response to a smoke detector alarm,"Fire Safety Journal,Vol.32 Issue 4,June 1999,
pp 369-376.
6