BRIEFLY

BRI E FLY

Cigarette caused fires preventable

OLYMPIA – Improperly disposed cigarettes are an avoidable cause of fire-related incidents, according to the Washington State Fire Marshall.

In 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported that improperly disposed cigarettes caused 7,800 fires, 275 deaths and 750 injuries nationwide. Washington State reported 125 fires caused by cigarettes in 2022, which resulted in 2 deaths and $4,108,139 in property loss.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following safety tips to prevent cigarette caused fires.

* Select fire-safe cigarette.

* Smoke outside.

* Fully extinguish cigarettes in a deep, sturdy ashtray.

* Do not throw cigarettes in bushes, mulch, leaves, potted plants, groundcover, or items that can catch fire easily.

*Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

* Avoid smoking cigarettes near flammable materials.