As winter approaches, officially beginning on December 21st, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) and the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) are urging residents to adopt simple fire safety practices to ensure warmth and security during the colder months. This time of year is particularly perilous for residential fires in Tennessee, with statistics indicating a staggering 66% rise in home fire fatalities compared to other seasons.
Cooking and smoking are significant contributors to these incidents, accounting for nearly 28% of the known causes of residential fires in the state. Furthermore, over the past decade, the use of medical oxygen has been linked to approximately 10% of fire-related deaths in Tennessee. Given these alarming figures, it is crucial for homeowners to prioritize fire safety measures.
A key element in preventing home fires is the presence of functional smoke alarms, which serve as the first line of defense. To aid in this effort, the SFMO has initiated the “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” campaign, providing free smoke alarms to residents. Since its inception in 2012, this program has successfully installed more than 273,000 smoke alarms and has been credited with 506 verifiable saves, highlighting its impact on enhancing safety and protecting lives. For further details on fire safety and resources available, residents are encouraged to visit tn.gov/fire.
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