Smoking materials (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.) are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. Roughly one of every four fire deaths per year in 2002-2005 was attributed to smoking materials.

In 2002-2005, there were an estimated 82,400 smoking-material fires per year in the United States. These fires caused 800 civilian deaths and 1,660 civilian injuries.

Older adults are at the highest risk of death or injury from smoking-material fires even though they are less likely to smoke than younger adults.

The most common material first ignited in-home smoking-material fire deaths were mattresses and bedding and upholstered furniture.

If you smoke, smoke outside.

Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to ignite, like an end table.

Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure they are out, and dowsing in water or sand is the best way to do that.

Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.

Smoking should not be allowed in a home where oxygen is used.

If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are less likely to cause fires.

To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you have to be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been consuming alcohol, or have taken medication or other drugs.