State Fire Marshal’s Office Promotes May as Building Safety Month
May 2, 2018
National Campaign Brings Awareness to Life-Saving Capabilities of Building Codes
Nashville, TN – As the prevalence of new construction continues to increase across the Volunteer State, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has declared May 2018 as Building Safety Month to increase public awareness of the critical role building codes play in ensuring fire and life safety.
The International Code Council (ICC) created Building Safety Month 38 years ago to reinforce the importance of code adoption and celebrate the victories of building codes in saving lives during disasters. The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is proud to join Governor Haslam and the ICC in promoting the annual campaign.
State Fire Marshal: Most Home Fire Deaths Caused by Smoke, Not Flames
April 20, 2018
Nashville, TN – Home is the place people feel safest from fire, but it’s actually the place they’re at greatest risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), approximately 80 percent of all U.S. fire deaths occur in the home. Most home fire fatalities, however, are not caused by burns, but by smoke inhalation.
To help prevent these tragedies, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is reminding residents that the early detection capabilities of a working smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death.
Most home fire fatalities are caused by smoke inhalation. A working smoke alarm can be a live safer.
State Fire Marshal Urges Caution When Using Medical Oxygen in the Home
April 3, 2018
Nashville, TN – Medical oxygen is a necessity for Tennesseans suffering with respiratory illnesses, but it is among the leading causes of fire fatalities in homes across the state. The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds consumers that homes where medical oxygen is used need to have specific fire safety rules to prevent fires and burns.
“We urge Tennesseans to take extra care when using medical oxygen in the home,” said State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak.
16 Fire Fatalities Involving Medical Oxygen Occurred in Tennessee between 2012 and 2016
Tennessee State Fire Marshal says Check Smoke Alarms When Changing Clocks this Weekend
March 9, 2018
Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday, March 11th
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds Tennesseans to take the time to check their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when setting clocks forward one hour this Sunday night, March 11th, 2018.
“It’s proven that smoke alarms can save lives in the event of a fire – but only if they are working,” said State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “As Daylight Saving Time begins, we encourage citizens to change the batteries in their smoke alarms if necessary and check the age of these important devices. Any smoke alarm 10 years old or older should be replaced entirely as it may not function properly in the event of an emergency.”
Sunday night, March 11th, move your clocks forward from 2:00am to 3:00am for Daylight Savings Time.
Tennessee State Fire Marshal says Teach Children Fire Safety at an Early Age
March 1, 2018
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds parents, educators, and caregivers to teach children the importance of fire safety early and often to help prevent the devastation that can result from youth fire play.
“One of the primary causes of residential fire deaths and injuries for children under 10 is playing with a heat source, which includes lighters and matches,” said State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “It is vital that children understand the dangers associated with fire and that they know items like these are tools for adult use only.”
State Fire Marshal Reminds Tennesseans to Use Candles with Care
February 20, 2018
Nashville, TN – While candles are a popular piece of home décor, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) wants to remind consumers that flamed candles must be used properly to avoid loss of life, injury, and significant property damage.
Though candles might make homes feel festive, they can also cause tragedy. In 2017, Tennessee fire departments responded to 77 home structure fires that were started by candles. These fires caused two civilian fatalities, two civilian injuries, one firefighter injury and $2,447,363 in direct property damage.
Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office Offers Scald & Burn Prevention Tips
February 11, 2018
National Burn Awareness Week
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office is highlighting National Burn Awareness Week (February 4-10, 2018) by sharing basic burn and scald prevention tips and reminding consumers that everyday household items can be burn hazards if not used or stored with care.
According to the American Burn Association, 73 percent of the burn injuries that are treated in burn centers occur in the home. Almost one-quarter (24 percent) of all burn injuries occur in children under the age of 15.
State Fire Marshal: Manufactured Housing Fires Among Deadliest in Tennessee
February 7, 2018
Nashville, TN – Manufactured houses are the scenes of relatively few fires every year in Tennessee, but those fires are among the deadliest, causing a disproportionate number of fire-related deaths and prompting the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office to remind consumers that fire safety should be a priority in all homes, especially during the high-risk winter months.
Manufactured homes – also known as mobile homes or trailers – are transportable structures that are fixed to a chassis and specifically designed to be towed to a residential site.
Some of the deadliest house fires in Tennessee are with manufactured homes.
Tennessee State Fire Marshal says 20 Fire Fatalities make January 2018 Tennessee’s Third-Deadliest Month Since 2010
February 3, 2018
Nashville, TN – The latest tally* of January fire fatalities has the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) urgently renewing its call that residents turn their focus to fire prevention during the high-risk winter months.
Current SFMO data indicates that 15 fatal fires caused 20 fatalities in Tennessee during January 2018, making it the third-deadliest month for fire deaths since 2010 (December 2016 had 24 deaths; January 2010 had 21 deaths). Historically, January leads all other months in residential fires, heating fires and fatal fires in Tennessee.
House Fire
State Fire Marshal’s Office Urges Safety During Deadliest Week For Fire Deaths
January 9, 2018
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) urges Tennesseans to focus on home fire safety during what has traditionally been the most tragic week for fire-related incidents in the Volunteer State: The second week of January.
SFMO data shows that Tennessee has averaged 3.6 fire deaths (29 in eight years) during the second week of January since 2010. This is the highest number of fire deaths for any week of the year and is nearly double the rate of the average week.
House fires can be prevented.
