A new Index from The Hartford, a leader in property and casualty insurance, reveals that Lexington, Ky. ranks 39th among the 100 U.S. cities with the highest home fire risk.
The Hartford Home Fire Index is based on an analysis of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and a survey conducted by The Hartford on fire safety and prevention behaviors among the general population.
Findings from a survey of Lexington residents reveal that many take fire safety seriously, and have fire safety devices like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in their home. But the findings also indicate that too many people also engage in potentially risky fire safety behavior – some they may not even be aware of.
For example, in Lexington:
• 45 percent admitted they had charged a device (e.g., cell phone, tablet, laptop) in or on their bed overnight in the past year – compared to 34 percent nationally.
• 56 percent said that in the past year, they have left the kitchen while cooking something on a stove, and
• 43 percent revealed that they have left a room with a candle lit at least once over the past year – compared to 37 percent nationally.
In an effort support the work fire departments and schools are undertaking, and in recognition of the 70th anniversary of the company’s Junior Fire Marshal education program, The Hartford is donating $10,000 to the Lexington school district and $10,000 to the local fire department to support ongoing fire safety education and behavior initiatives.
This is part of a commitment the company is making to donate $2 million and to educate 1.5 million children on fire prevention and safety in the 100 cities with the highest home fire risk identified in The Hartford Home Fire Index.
Since The Hartford’s beginning as a fire insurance company, it has been have been committed to fire prevention and safety.
More information on The Hartford Junior Fire Marshal’s commitment can be found here.
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