1. Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death in the United States.

2. Annually, 85% of all fire deaths occur in residences.

3. Over half of deaths from fire occur during the winter months, between December and March.

4. Smaller communities and rural areas have a higher incidence of fire deaths than larger communities.

5. The South records more fire deaths than any other region of the U.S. Of the top 15 states listed with highest frequency of fire death, 10 are in the South.

6. Specific behaviors, such as smoking, drinking and curiosity (in children) increase the risk of home fires.

7. Smoking causes 23% of residential fire deaths. Alcohol contributes to 40% of all fire deaths, and children playing with fire account for one-fourth of all fires leading to deaths of children.