24 Oct NFCC warns cost of living crisis could increase accidental fire count
The NFCC has highlighted the cost of living crisis in the UK could lead to a potential increase in fires.
To address this issue, the NFCC has launched a new national campaign with the tagline ‘Stay Fire Safe’. The campaign is supported by the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services and will deliver vital information in a bid to help keep communities safe.
During the last three months in England there were 99 fire-related fatalities, representing a 41% rise compared to the previous year. In the twelve months leading up to the end of March 2022, accidental fires in homes in England caused by candles accounted for 940 fires, which is the highest number recorded in more than ten years. Around a third of these fire outbreaks resulted in death or injury.
The NFCC campaign shares advice on heating appliances, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, candles and electrical safety; all of which are common causes behind residential fires.
Rick Hylton, chair of the NFCC’s Home Safety Group, commented: “We know that people are going to be facing additional hardships as we move into the colder months. We want to ensure that fire safety advice is easily available to them. It’s likely that more people than ever before will need essential fire prevention advice as energy bills rise.”
Hylton added: “It’s entirely possible that individuals and families who would never consider themselves to be vulnerable in the home could move into that bracket as they make changes and, potentially, increase the risk of fire.
“We absolutely acknowledge that many may be doing things differently as they face difficult decisions when the weather changes. We hope that our new campaign will help to highlight the dangers, offer simple solutions and keep people safe in their homes.”
The NFCC is also calling on people to carry out an online home safety fire check to safeguard against future fire risks. They also provide an easily accessible online toolkit which provides vital fire safety advice.