1 Hudson Valley City Ranks Among Most Dangerous For Home Fire Risk

YONKERS, NY — Yonkers residents are among the most at risk of a home fire, according to a just released nationwide survey.

The study comes just weeks after officials say malfuntioning marijuana growing equipment was the likely cause of a massive co-op tower blaze that left one dead and more than a hundred unable to return home.

According to The Hartford’s 2023 Home Fire Index, Americans are taking steps to make their homes safer from fire. The index is based on an analysis of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and a national survey conducted by The Hartford on fire safety and prevention behaviors.

While Yonkers was ranked at No. 11 on the list, NYC came in at No. 13, Syracuse was No. 71, and Albany was No. 120.

There is some good news, from a fire prevention standpoint, however.

The survey, which polled adults age 18 and up, revealed that behaviors known to cause home fires markedly declined since the months immediately preceding the COVID-19-related lockdown in 2020, including:

• Leaving a lit candle near drapes or other flammable household items (75 percent decrease)
• Falling asleep with a fire burning in a fireplace (64 percent decrease)
• Leaving matches and lighters in the open with children present (55 percent decrease)
• Overloading electrical outlets (45 percent decrease)

In addition to a decrease in risky behaviors, survey respondents reported an increase in behaviors that can help to prevent a fire or limit the damage a fire may cause, including the number of people who:

• Have a smoke detector in every bedroom (46 percent increase)
• Replace the batteries in their smoke detector at least once a year (27 percent increase)
• Have an escape plan in place in the event of a fire (16 percent increase)

"While we are encouraged by the improvements we have seen in fire safety and prevention, we know there is still work to be done," said The Hartford’s Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Claire Burns. "The Hartford is committed to reducing the frequency and impact of home fires in the U.S. through marquee educational initiatives like our Junior Fire Marshal Program that equips children with lifesaving lessons about fire safety. Children play a significant role in keeping homes safe from fire, and we are proud to provide parents and educators with the tools and resources they need to teach the next generation about reducing fire risk."

According to the index, ranking the top 150 U.S. cities with the highest home fire risk, the top five cities are: Modesto, Calif., Shreveport, La., Fresno, Calif., Montgomery, Ala. and Memphis, Tenn. A complete list of the 150 U.S. cities can be found here.

A home fire is reported in the U.S. every 93 seconds. The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal program, one of the country’s oldest corporate-sponsored public education programs, has committed $1.5 million over the next three years to local fire departments, and will educate 1.5 million kindergarten through third grade students on fire safety and prevention. The funding and resources will go to the 150 U.S. cities identified in The Hartford’s Home Fire Index.

The Yonkers Fire Department will be receiving a $10,000 grant from The Hartford for fire safety education.

Find more information about The Hartford’s Home Fire Index and Junior Fire Marshal Program here.