Community Risk Reduction Week

About Community Risk Reduction

A fire in or around your home can be devastating. The impacts can take both a financial and emotional toll. To help avoid getting to this point, there are simple things you can do to help reduce your fire risk.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal takes a data-driven approach to give Oregonians tools and knowledge to help reduce risk at the individual, community, and statewide levels.

January 15 - 21, 2024 is designated as Community Risk Reduction Week in Oregon. It is a time for Oregonians to create a plan and make changes to lower risk, whether it be new smoke alarms, creating a home fire escape plan, working with their community on defensible space projects, or putting an emergency kit together.

This week is also a good time for local fire agencies to highlight the top risks their communities have through data-driven approaches. Below is a look at the data at 2022 statewide data and resources to help you reduce your risk.

How Can I Reduce My Risk?

Around the Home

In 2022, firefighters in Oregon responded to a structure fire every hour one hour and 39 minutes, and a house fire every three hours and 52 minutes. On average, fires in Oregon resulted in a loss of $935,000 every day. These stats illustrate the importance of being fire safe inside your home.

Cooking safety should be top of mind for Oregonians. Cooking is the number one cause of home fires in Oregon, making up 18% of fires. Heating is the second-leading cause, making up 16% of fires. Below are resources to help plan and prevent these types of fires.

Fire Safety Information Tabs

Cooking Fire Safety

Home Heating Safety

Smoke Alarms

Home Fire Escape Plans

Cooking Fire Safety

Stay in the kitchen while cooking; never leave food unattended.
Keep flammable items, like towels and pot holders, away from the stove.
Use a timer to remind you when to check on food.
Keep a lid nearby to smother small fires—never use water.
Ensure your smoke alarms are working before cooking.

Learn more about Cooking Fire Safety

Home Heating Safety

Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually.
Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from heating sources.
Use heating equipment that is tested and labeled by a recognized testing laboratory.
Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping areas.

Learn more about Home Heating Safety

Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside each bedroom.
Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Know the sound of your smoke alarm and respond immediately.
Consider interconnected smoke alarms that sound together.

Learn more about Smoke Alarms

Home Fire Escape Plans

Create a fire escape plan with two ways out of each room.
Practice your escape plan with your family at least twice a year.
Choose a meeting place outside where everyone can go after escaping.
Ensure everyone knows how to call 911 after escaping.
Keep your escape routes clear of furniture and clutter.

Learn more about Home Fire Escape Plans

Wildfire

Wildfire has been an ever-present threat to those living in Oregon for decades. In recent years, the threat has increased because of changing weather and drought conditions. To be better prepared for wildfire, the OSFM developed many resources including ways to protect your home and property with defensible space.

Below are resources about how defensible space works and some steps Oregonians can take to better prepare their homes. During a wildfire, it is also important to know about evacuation levels and what to do if you're under evacuation orders.

Social Media Kit

Use these images on your social media to inform your community members about the top fire risks in Oregon.

For the Fire Service

Community risk reduction works well at the local level. When agencies identify risks in their communities through data, they can work to create a plan and strategy to decrease the number of times an event like a cooking fire, electrical fire, or other risk occurs.

The OSFM created a guide for the fire service interested in starting a community risk reduction campaign. Click the image below.