State fire marshal’s office urges safety in manufactured homes

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging residents of manufactured homes — also known as mobile homes or trailers — to practice fire safety.
More than 250,000 of these homes exist in Tennessee.
“Fires move more quickly in smaller spaces, leaving occupants with less time to escape. This is why it is crucial to have working smoke alarms installed in all homes,” State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak says. “Develop and practice a home fire escape with your loved ones so that everyone knows what to do when the alarm sounds.”
While manufactured homes are no more prone to fire than homes built on site, the manufactured home fire can be severe. All residential homes can be better protected utilizing built-in fire protection systems such as fire sprinklers. These not only save lives, but property as well.
A fire in a home located in a rural area has a greater chance of becoming a “total loss fire” because of the increased amount of time needed for firefighters to reach the home.
Lack of working smoke alarms is also a factor often noted in fatal manufactured home fires.
There were 368 manufactured home fires reported statewide in 2012. Those fires claimed the lives of 14 Tennesseans, caused 19 non-fatal injuries and $5.4 million in property damage. Manufactured home fires accounted for 18 percent of the state’s annual home fire fatalities last year.
If buying or renting a manufactured home is in your future, make sure you keep fire safety in mind.
By following a few tips and knowing the facts and safety requirements for manufactured homes, you can help keep your family safe. Published in The Messenger 1 .30.13

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