Fire Safety Article

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Related to Greater Risk of Fire Death, Especially When Combined with Smoking

Montana State Fire Marshal Allen Lorenz reports that evidence from national studies points to a link between alcohol and drug abuse, and fire injuries and fatalities. When smoking is combined with alcohol use, the risk of fire injuries and fatalities is even greater. Studies have shown that more than half of all alcohol-impaired fire deaths were the result of fires caused by careless smoking. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that smokers consume more alcohol than do non-smokers, heavy drinking tends to be associated with heavy smoking, and a large majority of alcoholics are smokers.

"Most people are aware that smoking is bad for the health of the smoker and the people around the smoker, but they may not be aware of the relationship between smoking and the potential for fire, especially when combined with drinking alcohol," Lorenz said.

Fires are preventable. Montanans who smoke can improve their safety and protect their families by:

• making sure their homes are equipped with working smoke alarms and testing those alarms at least monthly;
• providing a deep-dish ashtray with a solid base, and never allowing it to rest on the arm of upholstered furniture;
• dousing cigarettes or ashtray contents with water before disposing of them in the trash;
• being especially careful if alcohol or other drugs are also being used while smoking; and
• never smoking in bed or allowing other family members or guests to smoke in bed.

They could also install a residential sprinkler system to provide an even safer environment for their family, Lorenz suggested.