10 Fire safety statistics 2025

Building a safer workplace is key for your employees to thrive in their roles. A business that commits to health and safety minimizes the risk of occupational hazards that could harm teams. This allows everyone to focus on their work without extra worry.

Fire safety is a crucial concern in the workplace, with statistics highlighting the significant risks it poses to businesses. Despite the widespread presence of fire extinguishers, many companies overlook the importance of offering relevant training. Such complacency can be dangerous, as fires can have devastating and long-lasting effects on a company's operations and safety.

Stay informed with the latest fire safety statistics to enhance your management initiatives. We’ll discuss the importance of fire safety training and highlight several courses you can enroll your team in to improve workplace safety.

What are fire safety statistics and why are they important?

Fire safety statistics involve the systematic gathering of data on incidents, injuries, and accidents related to fire hazards across different industries. They give businesses timely insight into global trends and issues surrounding occupational health and safety.

As your workplace grows, your management must prioritize every worker’s well-being. Understanding these key facts about fire safety can strengthen directive efforts, uphold compliance with state regulations, and lead to an effective fire safety program.

Safeguard your workplace by exploring the latest fire safety statistics.

Structure fires cost over 323 million USD in direct property damage

Warehouse facilities are always at risk of structure fires. Between 2018 and 2022, the National Fire Protection Association found over 1,508 warehouse fire cases yearly. This amounted to 323 million USD in direct property damage.

As the designated place for storing goods, warehouses pose unique challenges for fire protection. The large spaces differ depending on the layout and kinds of materials stored. Due to these arrangements, fires are prone to spreading faster. This makes it tricky for firefighters to put out the flames easily.

The best way to address these safety challenges is to invest in comprehensive fire safety training for your warehouse staff. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that the chosen program should cover fire hazards, proper use of fire extinguishers, and evacuation procedures.

Recommended courses:

• Fire Safety by SC Training
• Fixed Extinguishing Systems by SC Training

Every 23 seconds, a fire department responds to a new emergency call

The National Safety Council notes that US fire departments respond to fire incidents every 23 seconds. This alarming statistic highlights the importance of implementing a fire safety guide in every workplace.

Fires can lead to permanent damage and heavy expenses for your business, so it's crucial to raise awareness about the common causes of workplace fires. Here are five key causes to keep in mind:

• Cooking machinery
• Defective equipment
• Cluttered workplace
• Flammable materials
• Carelessness

Cooking is the leading cause of fires in nonresidential buildings

In 2023, cooking topped the US Fire Administration’s list of fire causes in nonresidential spaces. It accounted for 30.3% of the numbers, while other causes were due to intentional acts, electrical malfunctions, and heating.

If your workplace has a kitchen area, remind your employees never to leave their cooking appliances unattended, especially when they’re old or faulty. This is the main reason why many businesses ban the use of gas stoves. Either way, it wouldn’t hurt to remind them to stay alert when using kitchen appliances and to replace worn-out cords to avoid potential fires.

Recommended courses:

• New Hire Safety Orientation by SC Training
• Fire Extinguishers in Kitchens (AU) by SC Training
• Fire Prevention - Commercial Kitchens, Extract Systems and Cooking Ranges by SC Training

Heating equipment accounts for 74% of home fire fatalities

The latest workplace safety statistics reveal that portable space heaters and wood stoves are common culprits of house fires. These heating equipment account for 74% of fire-related deaths in residential spaces, as reported by the American Red Cross.

During the fire safety training, encourage employees to inform their household members about the safe usage of heating devices. It’s best to avoid placing flammable objects near them. Additionally, during colder months, they should be careful to switch off their heaters and other equipment.

The fatality rate is 60% lower in homes with working smoke alarms

A working smoke alarm can save countless lives. Nowadays, most homes in the US have a smoke alarm system in place. NFPA’s fire safety facts report that for every 1,000 homes, the death rate is about 60% lower in homes with working smoke alarms compared to those with faulty ones or those without.

But even with a smoke alarm installed, your team shouldn’t be complacent. There are many cases when smoke alarms fail to alert occupants, resulting in fatal injuries. To prevent this, you can include discussions about smoke alarms in your fire safety training. Make sure to explain its proper placement and the differences between battery-operated and hardwired variants.

Recommended course:

• Electrical Safety for Household Electrical Items (US) by SC Training

The portable fire extinguisher market is set to grow by about 1.93 billion USD from 2023 onward

Recent forecasts show that the portable fire extinguisher market is set to grow by about 1.93 billion USD from 2023 onward. This is according to Technavio, an industry-leading market research firm. The market analysis included countries from North and South America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, and the Middle East.

There is a rising demand for efficient firefighting tools to combat smaller fires in workplaces, homes, and public spaces. Additionally, most organizations have a strict code for fire safety, leading to the extensive purchase of fire extinguishers. During your OSHA fire extinguisher training, it’s critical to offer hands-on demonstrations of how to use these tools effectively.

Electrical work is responsible for 5.6% of all workplace deaths

Almost 5.6% of all workplace deaths are due to contact with electricity. Electrical Safety Foundation International reports that electrical fatalities remain consistent every year. At the top of the occupational list are electricians, construction laborers, and heavy truck drivers.

During your toolbox talks, make sure to emphasize construction safety tips to help prevent accidental fires. You can also share ESFI’s report, which details that 91% of all workplace fatalities are produced by the following:

• Contact with overhead power lines
• Work done on energized parts
• Ground faults
• Faulty equipment and wiring
• Contact with nearby energized equipment
• Unexpected electrical contact

Recommended courses:

• Electrical Safety by SC Training
• Controlling Hazardous Energy: Electricity by SC Training
• Portable Firefighting Equipment - Construction (US) by SC Training

Store and office fires lead to an annual property damage loss of approximately 932 million USD

Workplace fire statistics reveal that unexpected workplace fires are costly to many businesses. Property damages produced by store and office fires amount to 932 million USD yearly, as listed by Industrial Fire Texas. With cooking as the leading cause, your employees should never take fire hazards for granted.

The best way to keep these safety hazards at bay is to regularly inspect for damaged or overloaded electrical cables, cords, and outlets. This may involve reorganizing your setup to avoid contact with flammable materials. Additionally, your fire escape plan should be visible to your workers. This informs them of the nearest exits and escape routes. 

Operating equipment is the primary heat source in warehouse fires

The NFPA identified operating equipment as the primary heat source in warehouse structure fires. Their research highlights that the leading causes of ignition include equipment malfunction, electrical failure, short circuits, and improper use of products.

Remind your team that staying alert during repairs or maintenance is essential. Just because they’re seasoned workers, it doesn’t mean they should skip out on safety protocols. Following these precautions is crucial to preventing accidents and protecting lives.

Recommended courses:

• Machine Guarding (US) by SC Training
• Electric Pallet Jack Training by SC Training
• Construction Safety Week: Toolbox Talks by SC Training

32% of nonresidential fires happen in office spaces

Our last fire safety statistics specifically focus on the risks faced by office workers. Documentation from Industrial Fire Texas shows that 32% of nonresidential fires happen in offices. Regardless of the industry, it’s no secret that workspaces are vulnerable to fire-related accidents.

Because fires can greatly harm your business and employees, building a comprehensive fire safety program is urgent. This not only helps prevent accidental fires but also makes sure that your team is well-prepared to respond calmly and effectively during emergencies.

Create your fire safety program with SC Training

Make your workplace fireproof by investing in your team's fire safety training. You don’t have to stress with planning and delivery with the right training platform. SC Training (formerly EdApp) stands out with its extensive course library, featuring a variety of courses on fire safety.

Deliver branded fire safety training to your team in just minutes with its AI creator tool. All courses, including fire extinguisher and compliance training, are completely editable. Plus, you can store essential policies in any format alongside your digital training through Briefcase, making this platform the perfect choice for busy and remote teams.

Raise awareness of accidental fires by sharing the latest fire safety statistics with your team.