Fill in the Blanks The US Fire ProblemOnline version Fill in the Blanks game based on NFPA's reports on fire in the US by Suzanne Freeman 1 The a US Fire Problem persistent is one . 2 residential Protection Fire Association non residential National The ( NFPA ) collects data on fires in the United States . Their research shows that fires occur more frequently in properties than in - properties . 3 socioeconomic working education homes alternative poverty overcrowding According to the NFPA , people living in are at a higher risk of dying in a fire . This is due to a lack of smoke alarms , , and the use of heating sources . In 2018 , there were 1 , 318 , 500 fires reported in the US , resulting in 3 , 655 deaths and 15 , 200 injuries . The majority of these fires occurred in . It is important to ensure that all individuals , regardless of status , have access to fire safety and resources . 4 risks water supply lack distance Rural areas face unique fire due to factors such as from fire departments , of fire hydrants , and limited . 5 less equipment rural risk heating areas more Homes in are also likely to use that increases the of fire . 6 Residential 3 76% smoking NFPA Cooking 24 According to , in 2019 , a fire department responded to a fire every seconds . There were 1 , 291 , 500 fires reported in the United States , causing , 704 civilian deaths , 16 , 600 civilian injuries , and $14 . 8 billion in property damage . fires accounted for of all civilian fire deaths . was the leading cause of residential building fires and civilian fire injuries , while was the leading cause of civilian fire deaths .