Characteristics of fire loss in a group of Native American homes: recommendations for loss reduction.

This report examined the characteristics of fire losses in a group of Native American homes under the auspices of AMERIND Risk Management Corporation. These authorities serve an estimated 600,000 houses in communities of American Indians and Alaskan Natives. It furthered reviewed current scientific literature pertaining to injury prevention, fire loss, and fire control. Information was gathered from November 1, 1996 to April 1989, and was maintained by AMERIND's database. Fire loss in this study was ranked in two ways: 1) by frequency of fire by cause, and 2) by the average cost of loss per event by cause. Grease fires cause the highest incidence of fire loss. Children were the second leading cause of fires, almost doubling from the 1986-1987 period to the 1987-1988 period. Electrical causes ranked third in claims followed by smoking materials, arson, chimney/flue, lightening, wood stoves, unknown, and furnace. Arson is the most costly cause of fire. When a comparison of causes of fires is make between Native American homes and other U.S. populations, a significant difference is shown. Specific recommendations expressed as a result of this study included: 1) add more information about injuries to the AMERIND dataset; 2) calculate a formula monitor fire rates; 3) promote the production of self-extinguishing cigarettes; 4) monitor and modify housing construction materials; 5) implement programs to promote the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors; 6) encourage the installation of sprinkler systems; and 7) continue and modify safety educational programs.