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COLUMBIA (WACH)— FEMA, reports that more than 4000 Americans die each year from fires, including nearly an average of 2500 from what they classify as “residential buildings.”  In addition to those deaths, more than 10,000 injuries are reported.

According to Lucia Ellison from Paul Davis Restoration, with the cooler months and Holidays come increased risk of fire related injuries and damage.  Ellison says that 25 percent of home fires are attributed to a failure to clean and inspect chimneys before use.

Additionally, taking extra steps to keep potentially flammable objects at least 3 feet from the fireplace will help reduce the risk of a fire due to the fireplace.

Another factor that contributes to the causes of house fires is the use of candles. Ellison says that days such Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Holidays and New Years are among the top 5 days for fires caused by candles.

92 percent of fires, according to Ellison, are caused by dryers what have a buildup of lint. She suggests cleaning the lint trap after each use, nothing that if it takes several cycles to dry clothes, it could indicate a dangerous build up in the duct work.

Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins echoes Ellison’s tips on fire prevention, as the CFD wraps up their annual Fire Prevention Week, adding that in addition to flammable items remain 3 feet away from a fireplace, a “kid free” space should also be created in the home.

FEMA also offers several tips on protecting family members in the event of a fire, including planning a safety route.  By teaching children, and reminding adults that when escaping from a fire, it is important to stay as low to the ground as possible, and plan a meeting place so everyone in the residence can be accounted for. 

A smoke detector is also an inexpensive, but important safety device.  FEMA recommends that in addition to replacing the battery each year in smoke detectors, that the units themselves are replaced every 10 years.

"A lot of fire prevention," says Ellison, "is common sense."  Ellison will appear on Good Day Columbia as part of a 2 part series about fire prevention and what to do in the event of a fire.