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OSFM »   Community Risk Reduction »   Fire Prevention & Education »   Smoking

Smoking

Person lighting cigarette

Did You Know...

In the US during 2012-2016:

  • An estimated per year average of 5% of reported home fires were started by smoking materials.
  • 18% of home fires started by smoking on an exterior balcony or open porch.
  • 43% of deaths were caused by fires that started in the living room. 
  • 34% One-third (34%) were caused by fires that began in the bedroom.
  • Smoking while on oxygen increases the risk of fire.
  • The air we breathe every day contains about 21% oxygen, air delivered to people using an oxygen concentrator contains nearly 100% oxygen, making it extremely flammable. 

Top Safety Tips

  • Smoke outside and extinguish cigarettes in water or sand.
  • Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away.
  • Hot cigarettes or ashes should never be tossed into a trash can.
  • Never smoke if you are tired, have had alcohol or have taken medicine or drugs that make you sleepy.
  • When using ashtrays, make sure they are deep and sturdy and that they are placed on something that is hard to ignite, such as a table.
  • Keep smoking materials away from things that can burn, such as sofas, chairs, beds, or clothing.
  • Never smoke in a house where oxygen is in use or near an oxygen source, even if it is turned off. Oxygen can be explosive and cause a fire to burn hotter and faster.
  • Cigarettes thrown from car windows, can cause wildland fires that endanger people, homes, and animals.

Dangers of Smoking While Using an Oxygen Tank

Smoking Safety Resources

  • USFA - US Fire Administration
  • NFPA - National Fire Protection Association

This page was last modified on 11/29/2021

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https://www.ncosfm.gov/community-risk-reduction/fire-prevention-education/smoking