UL | Newsroom

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a residential fire (includes homes, hotels, dormitories, and rooming houses) was reported every 77 seconds — down two seconds from 2002. Also, 3,225 people died in residential fires in 2004, a slight increase of 1.9 percent from the previous year.

"Developing and practicing a home fire escape plan with everyone in your household can mean the difference between life and death," says John Drengenberg, Consumer Affairs Manager for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization.

Despite the obvious danger of home fires, a survey shows only one in four families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.

"A fire drill in your apartment, condominium or house requires every family member to practice opening the doors and windows necessary to escape. It also means giving younger children permission to get out of the home on their own, even at night, when they hear the alarm. All family members must be prepared to react when a smoke alarm sounds."