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Fire Safety

1. Fire Death Rate

Definition: This indicator shows the average number of deaths per 100,000 residents due to fire. The

data presented below include deaths from accidental exposure to smoke, fire, and flames.

Significance: The fire death rate is a widely used indicator of the success of fire prevention efforts.

HISTORICAL/TREND ANALYSIS, Fire Death Rate

Data reflect South Carolina (SC) average, United States (US) average, and Southeast (SE) average. The southeast region consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Note: From 2000 to 2004, South Carolina’s fire death rate decreased 10%. In 2004, South Carolina’s

death rate was slightly less than twice the national average.

Selected Rankings, 2004 (“1” represents the state with highest rate of fire-related deaths per 100,000 residents)

SC	NC	GA	TN	MS	VT
4	15	14	8	1	50
2.15	1.49	1.59	1.87	2.97	0.00

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the national average number of fires has decreased 22 percent from 1994-2003. Improved building codes and the increased prominence of smoke detectors and sprinkler systems have led to this decrease. South Carolina’s high fire death rates are attributable to a number of factors such as substandard housing with poorly maintained electrical systems, the use of alternative forms of heating, and higher rates of smoking. These factors are also common in other southeastern states.

Rev. 10.17.2007

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