Only 28% of Families Prepared for Fire, Liberty Mutual Study Finds

The 2011 Liberty Mutual Insurance Fire Safety Study found that only 28% of families with children under age 12 have conducted a home fire drill, and that 38% have never created or discussed a fire plan. The study of 500 parents highlights several reasons why parents don’t prepare for home fires, which kills an average of seven people every day. Most parents (61%) say developing an escape plan hasn’t occurred to them.

Liberty Mutual is presenting National Family Fire Drill Day on Oct. 1. “Any day is a good day to create a fire escape plan, but National Family Fire Drill Day is a perfect moment in time to make fire safety in the home a priority,” says Liberty Mutual’s Tom Harned. The group has also developed an online fire safety site, BeFireSmart.com, to help families prepare. The site includes tips to help parents eliminate hazards and craft an escape plan.