Toledo has 17th highest house fire risk in study

March 11--Toledo is ranked No. 17 among the 100 U.S. cities with the highest home fire risk in a new report released by the Hartford insurance company.

The insurer said a survey and its index based on the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire incident reporting system found that many Toledoans have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in their homes, but also engage in risky fire safety behavior.

For example, 49 percent of Toledoans admitted they charge a cell phone, tablet, laptop, or other device in or on their bed overnight, compared to 34 percent nationally. And 59 percent said that in the past year they have left the kitchen while cooking something on a stove, compared to 58 percent nationally. And 47 percent said they have left a room with a candle lit at least once over the past year, compared to 37 percent nationally.

The survey found 20 percent of Toledo residents say they have experienced a home fire, compared to 13 percent nationally. Respondents said the top causes of their fires were electrical at 30 percent, cooking/their stove at 45 percent, or a fireplace at 21 percent.

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