Fire House Safety: Rhode Island and Hawaii at the Top, Alaska at the Bottom: Safest and Most Dangerous States 

A new study ranks America’s safest and most dangerous states for house fire safety in 2024.

According to the analysis by house fire safety experts at firecashbuyer.com, Rhode Island ranks 1st with an overall safety score of 90, driven by its low death rate of 0.9 and injury rate of 15.7 per 1,000 residential fires. The state’s high percentage of professional firefighting resources, with 35.3% of fire departments staffed by career firefighters, also contributes to its top ranking, making Rhode Island a leading example of fire safety excellence.

On the other hand, Alaska is ranked as the state with the lowest safety score, coming in at 40. Alaska’s high death rate of 25.5 and injury rate of 64.4 per 1,000 residential fires highlight the significant challenges the state faces despite having 10.4% of its fire departments staffed by career firefighters. This stark contrast between Rhode Island and Alaska underscores the critical role professional firefighting resources and effective fire prevention measures play in safeguarding communities.

Short Methodology: Firecashbuyer.com assessed house fire safety across all 50 states by analyzing deaths and injuries per 1,000 fires, the percentage of career fire departments, and home fire fatalities using data from the US Fire Administration. The study ranked states on four criteria, each scored from 40 to 100, with normalization applied to ensure fair comparison.

explore the full study here

10 Safest States for House Fire Safety in the USA 2024 

1. Rhode Island

Rhode Island stands at the top of the list for house fire safety, achieving a leading safety score of 90. The state is recognized for its low death rate of 0.9 per 1,000 residential fires, the second-lowest in the nation, and a relatively low injury rate of 15.7 per 1,000 fires. With 35.3% of its fire departments staffed by professional firefighters, Rhode Island ranks third in fire response efficiency. Only five home fire fatalities highlight the state’s commitment to fire safety reported in 2023. These comprehensive fire safety measures and robust firefighting resources contribute to Rhode Island’s top ranking.

2. Hawaii

Hawaii secures second place with an impressive safety score of 88.3. The state boasts a low death rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residential fires, which can be attributed to its high percentage of professional firefighters—75%, the highest in the country. This ensures rapid and effective response times. Although Hawaii’s injury rate stands at 22.8 per 1,000 residential fires, slightly higher than some other states, it remains a strong performer in overall fire safety. Like Rhode Island, Hawaii reported just five home fire fatalities in 2023, underscoring its effectiveness in fire prevention and response.

Delaware ranks third with a solid safety score of 86.4, with a low death rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residential fires and one of the lowest injury rates in the nation at 10 per 1,000 fires. However, Delaware’s fire departments are only 1.7% staffed by career firefighters, among the lowest in the top ten. Despite this, the state reported 11 home fire fatalities in 2023, reflecting its commitment to maintaining a strong safety record through efficient fire prevention and response strategies.

4. Massachusetts

Massachusetts holds the fourth position with a safety score of 86.2. The state demonstrates strong fire safety with a death rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 12.9 per 1,000. Approximately 32% of Massachusetts’ fire departments are staffed by professional firefighters, contributing to its effective emergency response capabilities. However, Massachusetts also reported 33 home fire fatalities in 2023, one of the highest among the top ten states, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in densely populated areas.

Mississippi ranks fifth with a safety score of 84.9. The state has the second-highest death rate among the top ten, at 4.2 per 1,000 residential fires, but offsets this with the lowest injury rate of 5.4 per 1,000 fires. About 10.3% of Mississippi’s fire departments are staffed by professional firefighters, supporting its fire safety efforts. In 2023, Mississippi reported 32 home fire fatalities, demonstrating the state’s importance of maintaining and improving fire safety practices.

Maryland secures the sixth spot with a safety score of 84.5. The state recorded a low death rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 5.8 per 1,000 fires. However, Maryland reported the highest number of home fire fatalities among the top ten states, with 54 in 2023. This could be linked to the lower percentage of fire departments staffed by career firefighters, which is 6.5%. Maryland’s performance highlights the critical need to balance professional firefighting resources with effective fire safety strategies.

Oregon ranks seventh with a safety score of 83.9. The state’s fire safety is supported by a low death rate of 1.3 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 18.4 per 1,000 fires. Oregon’s fire departments are 5.9% staffed by professional firefighters, contributing to its overall fire safety performance. The state reported 23 home fire fatalities in 2023, emphasizing the effectiveness of its fire prevention and emergency response efforts.

Arizona comes in eighth with a safety score of 83.8. The state maintains a low death rate of 2.9 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 17.9 per 1,000 fires. With 31.5% of its fire departments staffed by professional firefighters, Arizona ensures strong response times and effective fire safety measures. Despite this, the state reported 33 home fire fatalities in 2023, indicating areas where continued focus on fire prevention is necessary.

Vermont ranks ninth with a safety score of 82.8. The state has the highest death rate among the top ten, at 4.9 per 1,000 residential fires, but also boasts one of the lowest injury rates at 13.1 per 1,000 fires. Vermont’s fire departments are only 1.5% staffed by professional firefighters, the lowest among the top ten states. Despite these challenges, Vermont reported just seven home fire fatalities in 2023, reflecting the effectiveness of its fire safety strategies.

Maine rounds out the top ten with a safety score of 81.7. The state has a relatively low death rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 15.9 per 1,000 fires. Approximately 3.6% of Maine’s fire departments are staffed by professional firefighters.

1. Alaska

Alaska ranks as the worst state for house fire safety, with the highest death rate in the nation (25.5 per 1,000 residential fires) and the highest injury rate (64.4 per 1,000 fires). Despite 10.4% of its fire departments being staffed by career firefighters, Alaska reported 15 home fire fatalities in 2023. Harsh weather conditions, remote locations, and limited firefighting resources significantly contribute to Alaska’s poor fire safety performance. The state’s position as the worst reflects severe challenges in managing fire-related incidents effectively.

2. Ohio

Ohio ranks second worst due to a high death rate of 11.3 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 38.4 per 1,000 fires. Only 12.8% of its fire departments are staffed by career firefighters. The state reported 94 home fire fatalities in 2023, one of the country’s highest, underscoring Ohio’s critical need for improved fire prevention and response capabilities. The combination of high fatality and injury rates with a relatively low percentage of professional firefighters places Ohio in this position.

3. Tennessee

Tennessee faces significant fire safety challenges, ranking third worst with a death rate of 13.5 per 1,000 residential fires, indicating a high risk of fatalities. The state also has an injury rate of 24.8 per 1,000 fires. With only 8.3% of its fire departments staffed by career firefighters, Tennessee reported 93 home fire fatalities in 2023, further highlighting the state’s limited professional firefighting resources. The state’s poor ranking results from high fatality rates and inadequate emergency response infrastructure.

4. North Dakota

North Dakota ranks fourth worst, with a high death rate of 16.3 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 34.1 per 1,000 fires. Despite these high rates, the state reported only three home fire fatalities in 2023. However, only 3.1% of its fire departments are staffed by career firefighters, which limits the state’s ability to manage fire emergencies effectively. The low percentage of career firefighters significantly contributes to North Dakota’s poor fire safety ranking.

5. South Dakota

South Dakota ranks fifth worst due to its injury rate, the second highest in the nation, at 57.5 per 1,000 fires, despite a moderate death rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residential fires. The state has only 3.1% of fire departments staffed by career firefighters and reported 10 home fire fatalities in 2023. The combination of high injury rates and limited professional firefighting resources significantly impacts South Dakota’s fire safety performance.

6. Iowa

Iowa ranks sixth worst, with a high death rate of 11.3 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 30.2 per 1,000 fires. The state reported 27 home fire fatalities in 2023. Only 3.3% of its fire departments are staffed by career firefighters, contributing to Iowa’s ongoing fire safety challenges. The state’s ranking reflects the need for better fire prevention and response capabilities.

7. Wisconsin

Wisconsin ranks seventh worst, with a death rate of 11.1 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 24.6 per 1,000 fires. Approximately 5.9% of its fire departments are staffed by career firefighters. Wisconsin reported 47 home fire fatalities in 2023. The combination of high fatality and injury rates, along with a moderate percentage of professional firefighters, places Wisconsin in this ranking.

8. South Carolina

South Carolina ranks eighth worst, with a death rate of 10 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 24.2 per 1,000 fires. The state has 9.8% of its fire departments staffed by career firefighters, yet reported 55 home fire fatalities in 2023. The state’s ranking reflects ongoing challenges in fire prevention and emergency response.

9. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ranks 9th worst, with a death rate of 7.6 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 14.7 per 1,000 fires. The state reported 113 home fire fatalities in 2023, the third highest among all states. With only 2.6% of its fire departments staffed by career firefighters, Pennsylvania’s low percentage of professional firefighters is a significant factor in its poor fire safety performance.

10. Kansas

Kansas ranks tenth worst, with a death rate of 12.2 per 1,000 residential fires and an injury rate of 23.5 per 1,000 fires. The state has 6.2% of its fire departments staffed by career firefighters and reported 25 home fire fatalities in 2023. Kansas’s ranking reflects its ongoing challenges in maintaining effective fire safety measures.

Expert Commentary from firecashbuyer.com:

“The study highlights dramatic differences in fire safety across the United States, with safety scores ranging from 90 in Rhode Island to 40 in Alaska. Beyond mere statistics, these differences reflect the real-world impact of fire safety measures, resources, and preparedness. States with higher percentages of career fire departments, like Hawaii and Rhode Island, demonstrate that professional expertise is crucial in reducing fire-related deaths and injuries. However, the data also shows that states with lower scores face significant challenges, often tied to geographic isolation or resource limitations. This analysis underscores the importance of investing in fire safety infrastructure and professional resources to protect communities effectively.”

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