Tool
Home Fire Safety Score
Answer 10 questions about your home to estimate your fire safety preparedness. Your score is based on NFPA and USFA fire prevention guidelines.
What you are protecting against
Share of residential fires by cause
- Cooking
Cooking
49 % of fires
- Heating Equipment 15
Heating Equipment
15 % of fires
- Vehicle Fires 14
Vehicle Fires
14 % of fires
- Electrical & Lighting 9
Electrical & Lighting
9 % of fires
- Intentional (Arson) 8
Intentional (Arson)
8 % of fires
- Smoking Materials 6
Smoking Materials
6 % of fires
- Wildland & Brush 5
Wildland & Brush
5 % of fires
- Candles 4
Candles
4 % of fires
What this shows Cooking is the leading cause, accounting for 49% of US home fires. Smoking materials cause a far larger share of deaths than fires — a reminder that the most common causes are not always the deadliest.
About This Tool
This calculator estimates your home fire safety preparedness based on 10 factors identified by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and USFA (U.S. Fire Administration) as the most impactful fire prevention measures.
The score is a general assessment tool, not a professional fire risk evaluation. For a thorough assessment, contact your local fire department — many offer free home safety inspections.
Working smoke alarms alone cut fire death risk by approximately 50%. That single factor accounts for the largest portion of the score.
Based on: NFPA fire prevention guidelines, USFA fire safety recommendations, IBHS home hardening research.