•    In the year 2000, one person in the United Stated died every hour as a result of a fire and one person was injured every 23 minutes in average (Karter 2001).
 
•    Every year 1.1 burn injuries require medical attention in the United States (American Burn Association, 2002).
o    Approximately 50,000 of them require hospitalization;
o    Approximately 20,000 suffer mayor burns in at least 25% of the body surface;
o    Approximately 4,500 of these people perish;
•    Up to 10,000 people perish every year in the United States as a result of burn related infections.
 
•    Only 60% of Americans have an escape plan and, among them, only 25% have put it in practice (NFPA).
 
•    Smoke alarms reduce probabilities of dying in a fire in half (NFPA, 1999).

Escape information

Fire safety in hotels and the workplace
•    Memorize the exits and evacuation plans placed in visible areas every time you enter a building.
•    Learn the location of every exit in the building. You may have to look for the exit in the dark.
•    Ensure that the fire exits are not locked and free or rubble.
•    Every building, be it houses, the work place or hotels, should have smoke detectors. Ensure you are familiar with the sound of the alarm.
•    Respond to every alarm as if it were an actual fire. If you hear an alarm, abandon the site immediately and close the doors as you go.
•    Set a meeting point where everyone can gather after escaping.
•    Call the fire department after escaping. Tell them your address and do not hang up until instructed to do so. Inform them if someone is still trapped inside.
•    Never return to a building to retrieve a person, animal, belongings or any other thing. Wait for the fire department. 
If you are trapped in a burning building
•    Smoke travels upwards, therefore, crawl on the ground where the air is cleaner.
•    Exit quickly if it is safe. Cover your mouth and nose with a towel (wet, if possible).
•    Touch the door knobs and spaces around the doors tentatively with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, try another way to exit. If it is cold, open it slowly.
•    Shut the door if smoke comes out.
•    Use the stairs; never use the elevator during a fire.
•    Call the fire department for instructions in case you are trapped. If you are unable to reach a phone, seek help by yelling out a window. Make gestures with your hands or hang a sheet or any large object to attract attention.
•    Close as many doors as you can between the fire and you. Seal the doors with rags. Crack the windows open but shut them if smoke comes in.