It's Fire Prevention Week, and Americans tell us that home fires rank highest on their list of top disaster concerns.

The 2006 Fire Safety Census - conducted by Liberty Mutual and the International Association of Fire Fighters - reports that 75 percent of more than 1,000 Americans (ages 25+) polled are concerned about fire in the home. Yet, despite this anxiety, the survey further reveals that many Americans are dangerously negligent when it comes to taking fire precautions and are largely uninformed about what to do if a fire occurs.

Here are some key findings:

Despite 90 percent of Americans expressing a basic understanding of the importance fire safety measures (smoke alarms, fire extinguisher, fire escape plan), there remain alarming high numbers who do not put these practices into place:

• 7 million Americans do not own a smoke alarm
• 37 million Americans do not own a fire extinguisher
• 50 million Americans do not have a fire escape plan

Additionally, many Americans admit to risky behaviors in the home, even when they know the dangers they present.

• 85 percent know that most home fires start in the kitchen; yet 26 percent say they have left food cooking on the stove or in the oven unattended, and 16 percent have gone so far as to disable a smoke alarm while cooking;
• 41 percent report leaving the clothes dryer running when not at home;
• 32 percent report leaving their holiday lights on when not at home; and
• 12 percent admit they leave burning candles unattended

Behind all of these findings is the fact that more Americans die in home fires each year than all natural disasters combined. Indeed, home fires resulted in the deaths of more than 3,000 people in 2005, according to the IAFF. And children are particularly vulnerable, especially those under 5, who are twice as likely to die in a fire as the rest of the population.

According to the survey, parents of young children must provide more guidance:

• 7 in 10 parents say their children are less than fully prepared to escape and survive a home fire
• 84 percent of parents admit they do not frequently discuss fire safety with their children

Lastly, the 2006 Liberty Mutual/IAFF Fire Census reveals deep knowledge gaps among Americans:

• 44 percent are unaware that power strips do not protect against electrical fires
• 24 percent are under the impression that space heaters are safe
• 15 percent believe any type of fire extinguisher can put out any type of fire.