Officials: Dispose of Cigarettes And Other Tobacco Products Properly

Source from:  By Nathaniel Smith, Staff Writer December 27, 2007 12/28/2007

As January 1 approaches, and with it the implementation of Illinois' statewide ban on smoking in public places, places of employment and government vehicles, officials are urging smokers to dispose of cigarettes and other tobacco products properly. According to statistics emanating from the Illinois State Fire Marshal, this year in Illinois smoking materials have caused 1,155 fires, resulting in six deaths, 45 injuries and nearly $12 million in property damage. "Fires started by smoking materials are 100 percent preventable," said David B. Foreman, Illinois' State Fire Marshal. "Usually these types of fires are caused by smoking materials that were carelessly disposed of or forgotten. Cigarettes and cigars continue to burn when they are not properly extinguished. When a resting cigarette is accidentally knocked over it can smolder for hours before a flare-up occurs." Matches and lighters can be just as dangerous as the nicotine-laden products they're used to ignite. Smoking ignition materials have caused 831 fires, resulting in one death, 14 injuries and $3 million in property damage in 2007. The accidental ignition of mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture and trash most commonly result in smoking material home fires, and more fatal smoking material fires start in living rooms, family rooms and dens than in bedrooms. According to statistics released by the National Fire Protection Association, smoking material fires cause more deaths than any type of fire. It is estimated there were 82,400 smoking material structure fires in the U.S. in 2005, resulting in an estimated 800 deaths, 1,660 injuries and $575 million in property damage. Officials recommend taking the following steps in the proper care and disposal of cigarettes and other tobacco products. - Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year. Consider installing smoke alarms with "long-life" (10-year) batteries. - Never smoke in bed. - Use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and difficult to ignite, such as an end table. - Never tap the ash of a burning cigarette into a wastebasket - only an ashtray. - Don't leave cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended. Put out all smoking materials before you walk away. - If you begin to feel drowsy while watching television or reading, extinguish your cigarette or cigar. - Never smoke where oxygen is being used. - Develop and practice a fire escape plan. Enditem