FIRE SAFETY AT HOME
How
do people react when they discover a fire at home? That’s
what researchers at the University of Ulster want to know,
because the answer could save
lives.
They want to know why some people survive and others don’t
and with the help of people who’ve experienced a house fire,
they’re hoping to unlock behaviour patterns which could
save lives.
Around £4 million is spent each year on informing the public
about the dangers of fires in the home and how to avoid them, yet
there are still around 500 deaths and approximately 25,000 injuries
from home fires in the UK annually.
Much is known about why fires
start and of the injuries that people get from house fires, but
very
little is know about the decisions
and behaviours that lead people to survive a fire. Professor Jim
Shields, director of the FireSERT Institute at the University of
Ulster says, “Although the causes of fires are well known,
what people actually do, and the reasons why people die in fires,
is not well understood. We want to see what influences survivors
to take the decisions which saved their lives”.
The research, carried out by Dr. Gary Bradley and Mr. Nigel McConnell
and in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade, will
help to inform fire fighters, medical services and building designers
about fire safety and the after effects of smoke inhalation and
psychological trauma.
“Fires, and particularly the smoke from fires, can spread
very rapidly inside a house and we need to understand what people
do when faced with the reality of a developing fire. If we can
understand this, we may be able to help more people survive fires
in their homes,” Professor Shields adds.
If you have been involved in a house fire and would like to contribute
your experience, the researchers can be contacted at the following:
Dr. Gary Bradley tel:
028 9036 8740
Mr. Nigel McConnell tel: 028 9036 8766
A new report warns householders of the dangers of fire this
Christmas as a threefold rise in fire claims on both the 25th
December and New Year's Eve. The statistics also show a 26% increase
in fire incidents across the whole of December.
A leading insurance company’s research shows that...
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The winter months
always see a rise in claims due to open fires and candles
but the two big party days of Christmas show by far the sharpest
increase.
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On Christmas day, people cooking, candles
and flaming puddings are the culprits. New Years Eve brings
cigarette fires from big house parties.
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despite the high number of incidents reported,
the nation does not always guard against house fires as much
as it should.
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Less than half (45%) of UK householders have
a fire extinguisher or fire blanket although most state that
they have fitted a smoke alarm.
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Smoke alarms are a must, naked flames should
not be left unattended and escape routes must be planned
and known by all family members."
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The five most common reasons for fires over the Christmas period. 1. Deep fat fryer and cooking fires
2. Open wood and coal fires
3. Electrical - Christmas lights, new appliances
4. Advent and decorative candles
5. Smoking in the house at parties
To help prevent these fires, remember:
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Never
leave deep fat fryers or frying pans on the hob without
attendance
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Use
fire guards for open fires and do not leave them unattended
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Always
follow electrical appliance instillation instructions
and get
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advice if you are
not confident to install yourself
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Never
leave naked flame candles unguarded in the home and ensure that
they are not left burning on wooden or flammable surfaces
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Make your home
a non-smoking zone. Try and encourage guests and family
members to smoke outside of the home especially in the
event of a party.
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Before retiring
to bed, check each room for smouldering cigarettes or other
potential fire hazards.
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