Fire in the home can be an absolutely terrifying and life-altering occurrence.  In 2011, there were 1,389,500 fires reported in the United States. These fires  caused 3,005 civilian deaths, 17,500 civilian injuries, and $11.7 billion in  property damage. Within a matter of seconds, everything you treasure can be  engulfed by flames. And although we cannot prepare for life’s accidents, there is an organization that can educate us on how to avoid them.

 Meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a non-profit based out of  Quincy, Massachusetts, and presided over by president and CEO James M. Shannon.  NFPA’s main objective: To reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on  the quality of life.  

 “We develop codes and standards on all aspects of fire, life and electric safety,” said Lorraine Carli, the NFPA vice president of communications. “We also conduct research, training and extensive public education—all aimed at making the world safer from fire and other hazards. We aim to  provide a wealth of information on how individuals can prevent fires in their  homes.”  

 Membership in the NFPA

 As the world's leading advocate of fire prevention, the NFPA, established in  1896, is consistently expanding its membership base. Since fires can affect  everyone and anyone, the organization understands the importance of having a  diverse body of members, which is constantly growing.  

 “NFPA has more than 74,000 members,” according to Carli. “They include designers, builders, architects, engineers, fire service,  electricians and other professionals.”  

 The organization fields board members from throughout the country, and Keith E.  Williams, president/CEO, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. in Northbrook, IL is  the closest Chicagoland representative.  

 Codes and Standards

 The NFPA is responsible for more than 300 different standards and codes, all of  which are intended to reduce the effects and overall possibility of fires in  the home. We may not even realize it, but a lot of the things we do every day  are affected by the efforts of the NFPA. Think about it: Have you ever  installed a new deck or a bathroom, and had guidelines to abide by so the  structure was safe for use? Well, that’s in large part, the NFPA’s doing. Their standards affect everything from installations and buildings to  process, service, and design.  

 “The NFPA affects homeowners in that we develop codes and standards that are  adopted or referred to that dictate things like the use of smoke alarms, safe  electrical installations, exits, fire alarms and a host of other building and  fire requirements,” says Carli.  

 Of course, not just anyone can make a code or standard and put it into action.  All proposals and comments are developed periodically and reviewed by about  7,000 people—all volunteers—who, like the wider membership base, come from a wide range of professions.  

 Public Education

 The association offers seminars for training with members of its team, online  webinars and on-site training, as well as electrical vehicle safety training  for firefighters and other first responders, among other educational  opportunities.  

 Through these educational programs, the NFPA strives to teach consumers about  fire safety. From dryers and washing machines to portable generators, candles,  and stoves, there are hundreds of places that a fire can start in the home.  Each of these different causes has its own times throughout the year when the  NFPA sees it happening more than others. For example, the top five days for  home candle fires are all holidays, including Christmas Eve and Halloween. When  it comes to heating fires, the chilly months are the culprit, with peak months  for home heating fires from December to February. Nevertheless, the NFPA is  active year-round, pursuing its mission to lessen these incidences across the  country.  

 The NFPA’s biggest suggestion to homeowners? Know exactly what to do in case a fire  happens in your home. Talk to your family members about what to do in an  evacuation, and know exactly what the evacuation routes are in your particular  community. If family members are separated during an emergency, already have a  plan and safe meeting spot you all know about, as well as emergency phone  numbers. And last but not least, every home should have a family disaster  supply kit, (sometimes called a go bag or ready kit) including everything from  water and a first aid kit to a jacket, cash, and personal hygiene items. If  there’s anything a consumer can really learn from the NFPA, it’s that you can never be too prepared when it comes to potential fires or hazards  in the home, and it’s much better to be safe than sorry.  

 The Future of the NFPA

 In the last few decades, the NFPA has grown both in strength and in numbers.  

 “We have made tremendous progress in reducing the fire problem in homes since the  late ‘70s. We’ve increased public education about how to prevent fires, on codes and standards  for things that affect buildings, the increased use of flame retardants and the  widescale introduction of smoke alarms have all contributed to fewer fires.”  

 Since the organization’s founding in 1896, the number of fires that occur in the home resulting in  deaths and injuries has dramatically decreased by more than 150,000 cases. In  the future, NFPA’s goal is to continue this positive progression, and continue to successfully  educate the public on fire safety, making a safer and happier community for  all.   

 Emily Abbate is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to The Chicagoland Cooperator and other publications.