"Help us to remove that risk:" MFD promoting smoke-free housing in effort to prevent house fires



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Smoking is the leading cause of house fires across the country.  In Milwaukee, the fire department says one in four deaths as a result of house fires is smoking-related.

Firefighters unveiled a new initiative, hoping to bring that number down. It's called the "Clear Gains" initiative, and it's part of a statewide campaign to promote smoke free living in apartment buildings.

Members of the fire department and the city's Tobacco Free Alliance urged people to stop smoking in their homes and are asking landlords to prohibit it.

"It is one hundred percent legal to pass one of these policies in a residence. You include it in your lease language," said Kathy Staats, with the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute.

"Help us to remove that risk, help us to be a little bit safer," said Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing.

This announcement comes during National Fire Prevention Week, which runs through Saturday, October 11th.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Clear Gains initiative.