Fire prevention in the United States. Are the home fires still burning?

Injury and death from burns have reached epidemic levels in the United States during the past quarter-century. Yet preventive action on both local and national administrative levels has been dismally inadequate and underfunded. Identifying and recognizing both the etiologies of burn injuries and the statistical magnitude of the problem will, it is hoped, stimulate dedication of more resources and personnel to reducing the hazards of fire and the resulting loss of life, productivity, and property in the next two decades. Public education and national awareness are first steps to creation of a consumer and popular demand worthy of national action.