Lesson 1- Combustion and Arson

Graphing Activity: Fatal Home Fires in Alberta

Case Study

Background:

Data collected each year related to the causes of various arson fires helps to determine if the strategies for arson prevention are effective. The statistics in this activity concern the causes of home fire fatalities in Alberta over a five-year period.

Problem:

What are the causes of fatal home fires in Alberta from 2001 to 2005?

Procedure:

  • Use the data in the table below to create a bar graph.
  • Label the x-axis with the causes of fire.
  • Label the y-axis with the total number of deaths.
  • Incorporate a title and a legend into your graph.

Causes of Fatal Home Fires in Alberta (2001 – 2005)

Causes of Fire

Deaths

Appliances:  dryer or cooking devices

3

Arson, suspected arson, or other set fires

10

Candles:  ignition of furniture or paper decorations

2

Child fire play:  matches, lighter, or stove

4

Cooking:  stove-top involving cooking oil

7

Electrical wiring

7

Heating equipment:  furnace, space heater, fireplace

5

Ignition of natural or propane gas

6

Smoking:  ignition of furniture, bedding, or other materials

29

Unknown

30

Related Questions:

  1. What were the top three leading causes of fatal home fires in Alberta from 2001 to 2005?

    Ans.     The top three leading causes of fatal home fires were:

    1. Smoking
    2. Arson
    3. Cooking and Electrical wiring (tie)

  2. What percent of the total deaths was the result of arson from 2001 to 2005 in Alberta?
    Ans.  The percentage of total deaths caused by arson from 2001 in 2005 in Alberta was 9.7%.

  3. Arson is a deliberately set fire. Explain what other cause of fire could also be considered to be a deliberately set fire.
    Ans.  Child fire play is a fire deliberately set by a youngster. Most often, it is considered an accident or misbehaviour.