Smoking Materials Fires
Smoking Materials is mid-frequency (6% of fires) with elevated fatality intensity (4.17x; 25% of deaths).
Death share (25%) outruns fire share here; read both columns in the USFA/NFPA cause table. Verify with USFA (FEMA) · Methodology.
Smoking Materials fires account for 6% of US residential fires, the #6 of 10 most frequent cause tracked here and 25% of fire deaths (a 4.2x fatality index). Source: USFA/NFPA national fire statistics.
- Frequency rank #6 of 10 of tracked causes
- Fatality-index rank #1 of 10 of tracked causes
- 4.2x death-to-fire ratio
- 12% of Cooking fire share
Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths despite being a smaller percentage of fires.
Smoking Materials Fire Prevention Tips
- ✓ Smoke outside only, never in bed or on upholstered furniture
- ✓ Use large, deep ashtrays and soak butts in water before disposal
- ✓ Keep matches and lighters locked away from children
- ✓ Never leave a lit cigarette unattended
- ✓ Dispose of smoking materials separately from household trash
Frequently Asked Questions
How serious are smoking materials fires?
Smoking Materials fires carry elevated fatality risk: they account for 25% of fire deaths despite representing only 6% of total fires (4.2x death-to-fire ratio).
What percentage of US fires are caused by smoking materials?
Smoking Materials fires account for approximately 6% of residential fires in the US (#6 of 10 by frequency in this table), and 25% of fire deaths. Source: USFA national fire statistics.
How can I prevent smoking materials fires?
Smoke outside only, never in bed or on upholstered furniture Use large, deep ashtrays and soak butts in water before disposal Keep matches and lighters locked away from children
Nearest fatality-index peers to Smoking Materials
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.