Smoking

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.