The U.S. has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. For 1998, the U.S. fire death rate was 14.9 deaths per million population.

 Between 1994 and 1998, an average of 4,400 Americans lost their lives and another 25,100 were injured annually as the result of fire.

 About 100 firefighters are killed each year in duty-related incidents.

 Each year, fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined.

 Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death in the home; at least 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in residences.

 About 2 million fires are reported each year. Many others go unreported, causing additional injuries and property loss.

 Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at $8.6 billion annually.