Fire Marshal Emphasizes Importance of Proper Cigarette Disposal As Statewide Smoking Ban Approaches

Smoking Materials Are 3rd-Leading Cause of Fire Deaths In Illinois

[December 22, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- As the implementation of the statewide smoking ban approaches, Illinois State Fire Marshal David B. Foreman is urging smokers to properly dispose of cigarettes and other tobacco products, including cigars and pipes. This year in Illinois, smoking materials have caused 1,155 fires, resulting in six deaths, 45 injuries and nearly $12 million in property damage.

"Fires started by smoking materials are 100 percent preventable. Usually, these types of fires are caused by smoking materials that were carelessly disposed of or forgotten," Foreman said. "Cigarettes and cigars continue to burn when they are not properly extinguished. When a resting cigarette is accidentally knocked over, it can smolder for hours before a flare-up occurs."

Playing with matches and lighters has also caused a significant number of fires so far in the state of Illinois in 2007. Smoking ignition materials have caused 831 fires, resulting in one death, 14 injuries and nearly $3 million in property damage.

Mattresses and bedding, upholstered furniture, and trash are the items most commonly ignited in smoking-material home fires. More fatal smoking-material fires start in living rooms, family rooms and dens than in bedrooms.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoking-material fires cause more deaths than any other type of fire. According to the most recent statistics available, there were an estimated 82,400 smoking-material structure fires in the U.S. in 2005, resulting in an estimated 800 deaths, 1,660 injuries and $575 million in direct property damage.

To keep you and your loved ones safe, the fire marshal recommends the following:

• Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test smoke alarm batteries every month, and change them at least once a year. Consider installing smoke alarms with "long-life" (10-year) batteries.

• Never smoke in bed.

• Use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to ignite, like an end table.

• Never tap your ash into a wastepaper basket -- only an ashtray.

• Don't leave cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended. Put out all smoking materials before you walk away.

• If you begin to feel drowsy while watching television or reading, extinguish your cigarette or cigar.

• Never smoke where oxygen is being used.

• Develop and practice a fire escape plan.

Last summer, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed Senate Bill 500, creating the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Beginning Jan. 1, smoking will be prohibited in public places, places of employment and governmental vehicles.

[Text from Office of the State Fire Marshal news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]