An average of about 375 people die every year in fires in Canada - mostly from smoke inhalation.

That's the bad news. The good news is that the rates of deaths and injuries have been steadily declining. The number of fires has also been dropping, although dollar losses to fire damage has been increasing.

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs estimates that fires caused by careless smoking kill 70 people and injure 300 every year. It's the number one preventable cause of fire deaths in the home.

The association says the kitchen is the most dangerous room in the home when it comes to fire.

Fire Prevention Week is observed during the first week of October (Oct. 4-10 in 2009)