October 6th to 12th is Fire Prevention Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness about fire safety, fire prevention and how to respond effectively in the event of a fire.
This week, it’s important to recognize that smoking is the leading cause of home fires.
According to Tobacco Free Nebraska, in 2023, Nebraska recorded 129 smoking-related fires, 28% of which occurred in multifamily buildings. These fires injured two civilians, three firefighters, and caused more than $1.1 million in property losses.
Nationally, the statistics are alarming. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, from 2013 to 2022, an average of 335 people died each year in home fires caused by smoking.
In Douglas County, property owners and renters can join the Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC) to help prevent smoke-related fires, protect neighbors from the harms of second-hand smoke, and build healthier communities for everyone. You can participate in
When property owners switch to smoke-free housing, they reduce the risk of fire while also protecting the health of non-smoking tenants. Up to 65% of an apartment’s air, including second-hand smoke, can come from other units in the building. Approximately 220 to 390 adults, children, and infants die each year in Nebraska due to exposure to other people’s smokers (secondhand smoke and smoking during pregnancy).
Smoking bans reduce the frequency of replacing carpets, floors, fixtures, and major appliances, and also reduce insurance and operating costs for property owners. MOTAC offers a smoke-free/non-smoking policy in multifamily housing toolkit for property owners considering the switch.
Local renters can search for smoke-free housing in the metropolitan area on the MOTAC website. If you live in a building that allows smoking and want to advocate for change, the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation offers ideas for talking to your landlord and organizing with other tenants.
