Careless Smoking Prevention

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Every year, almost 1,000 smokers and non-smokers are killed in home fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials. One-in-four people killed in home fires is not the smoker whose cigarette caused the fire. Putting out a cigarette the right way only takes seconds.It is up to you to make sure your cigarette is put out, all the way, every time.

Stop fire caused by careless smoking.

  • The safest place to smoke is outside of the home. Use a sturdy ashtray or a can filled with sand to collect ashes.
  • Use ashtrays with a wide, stable base that are hard to tip over. If it wobbles, it won’t work.
  • Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to ignite, like a table.
  • Put It Out. All the Way. Every Time. The cigarette really needs to be completely stubbed out in the ashtray.
  • Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. NEVER toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash.
  • Chairs and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast. Don't put ashtrays on them. If people have been smoking in the home, check for cigarettes under cushions.
  • NEVER smoke while using oxygen or anywhere near an oxygen source, even if the source is turned off. Oxygen makes any fire burn hotter and faster.
  • If you smoke, use reduced ignition strength cigarettes, commonly referred to as "fire-safe cigarettes." These cigarettes have banded paper that can slow the burn of a cigarette that isn't being used.
  • If you are drowsy or falling asleep, put it out. Smoking in bed is just plain wrong.
    • To prevent deadly cigarette fires, you must be ALERT. You won't be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs that make you drowsy or have consumed alcohol.
    • NEVER smoke in bed.
  • Close a matchbook before striking and hold it away from your body. Set your lighter on "low" flame.

Be prepared for a fire.

  • One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a "Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm." A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire.
  • Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms on every level of your home.
  • Check smoke alarm batteries at least once every year.
  • Prepare an escape plan and practice it often. Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two (2) escape routes from their bedrooms.
  • More on Smoke Alarm Safety

Don't let your world go up in smoke! Following these simple fire safety tips can increase survival rates dramatically: Up in Smoke(PDF, 566KB) *Sources: United States Fire Administration (www.usfa.fema.gov) and National Fire Protection Agency (www.nfpa.org)

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