Three times as many people die in mobile home fires, proportionately,
than in single and two-family home fires. For every 1,000 fires that break
out, 21 victims will die in mobile homes while fewer than seven will die in
single or two-family dwellings.
The primary cause of the problem is that fire spreads rapidly
through mobile home contents, while the structure itself intensifies heat
and smoke buildup. In addition, most mobile homes have fewer safe exits than
a traditional home.
If you live in a mobile home, precautions can be taken. Be
cautious and vigilant to prevent fire in your mobile home.
First, if you smoke, be extremely careful with smoking materials. Never smoke in bed. If you're
feeling tired, don't even smoke in that big, comfortable easy chair. Always
use large ashtrays that have plenty of room for your cigarette or cigar, and
one that won't tip.
Use caution when cooking. Keep pot handles turned away from the room.
Don't overload electric outlets.
Mobile home fires are caused by problems in the electrical system twice as
frequently as in traditional houses. Protect yourself by monitoring your electrical
use. When one powerful electrical appliance is in use, for example an iron,
keep the use of others to a minimum. And never leave electrical appliances
operating unattended.
Don't leave children unsupervised,
even for a quick trip to a neighbor's home or to the store. It takes only
a few seconds for curiosity to turn to tragedy, and once a fire starts in
a mobile home, it is likely to be deadly. Fire will spread rapidly, trapping
the child. By the time you return home, it will be too late.
Be sure you have enough smoke detectors
and that they are in working condition. You should have a smoke detector outside
every bedroom area. If your bedrooms are located at different ends of your
mobile home, that means you need two detectors, one to shield each bedroom
area from fires that might start in the rest of the structure. If a smoker
lives or is a frequent visitor in your home, install an extra detector near
where he or she usually smokes.
Test smoke detectors monthly. Press the test button, and blow some smoke into the detector to check
its batteries and its quickness in sensing smoke. Don't leave your family's
safety to chance. Replace batteries at least twice a year. When daylight savings
time begins and ends, you change your clocks. This is the time you also change
your smoke detector batteries.
