Smoking materials (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.) are the leading cause of fire deaths and the third leading cause of fire injuries in the United States. Roughly one of every four fire deaths in the 1999 was attributed to smoking materials.

Facts & figures* In 1999, there were 167,700 fires associated with smoking materials, resulting in 807 deaths, 2,193 injuries and $559.1 million in property damage. Of the fire deaths, 776 occurred in residential properties. In Canada there were 3,800 fires in 1999 associated with smoking materials. These fires caused 119 civilian deaths, 258 civilian injuries and direct property damage of $58.3 million Canadian ($39.2 million U.S.). The most common material first ignited in residential smoking material-related fires was mattresses and bedding, followed by trash and upholstered furniture. Safety tips Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn (i.e., mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, draperies, etc.). Never smoke in bed or when you are drowsy, intoxicated or medicated. Use large, deep, non-tip ashtrays to prevent ashes from spilling onto furniture and check them frequently. Do not rest ashtrays on sofas or chairs. Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away as they can smolder in the trash and cause a fire. Whenever someone has been smoking in the home, always check on, between and under upholstery and cushions and inside trashcans for butts that may be smoldering. When smokers visit your home, ask them to keep smoking materials, lighters and matches with them so young children do not touch them. Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children's sight and reach (preferably in a locked cabinet). "Reproduced from NFPA's Fire Prevention Week Web site, www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2004 NFPA."