Fire threat to youngest and oldest.

• Position: Residential fires

Every year, 1,200 children die in residential fires and another 12,000 are injured. Many times, these start in a bedroom--a hidden place where kids think they won't be caught playing with fire.

Whether by accident or experiment, kids, beds, and fire can be a deadly match, On average, children are responsible for about 100,000 of all fires reported 300 deaths, and nearly $250,000,000 in property damage annually. Even those who know playing with fire is forbidden often can't resist the temptation, so they hide under their beds, beneath the covers, and in closets--places where fires ignite fast and spread easily. Bedrooms rank second only to kitchens as the room were residential fires are most likely to start.

Meanwhile, 1,300 older Americans die in residential fires annually. Older people usually don't take chances with their health or homes, but statistics reveal that America's seniors are gambling with both when it comes to fire safety around the house.

As a group, people 65 and over are in the greatest danger of death or injury in residential fires. The peril increases with age. People 70-plus are at twice the risk as the rest of the population, while octogenarians face three times the risk. The elderly are vulnerable to fire for several reasons. They may be less able to take quick action in a fire emergency or are on medication that affects their ability to make rapid decisions. Others live alone and have no one to help out when fire-related accidents occur.

Cooking is the leading cause of fire injuries for older people. After the kitchen, more fires start in bedrooms than any other room. Dozing off while smoking in bed always has been a hazard. Mattress fires starting from small open flames such as matches, lighters, and candles claim lives...