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Figures for UK fire-related deaths reveal that, of 595 people killed, more than two thirds perished in accidental home fires.

The 'Excuses Kill' Campaign

1 in 3 Fire Deaths in the Home. 200+ die in house blazes. Current figures for UK fire deaths reveal that, of 595 people killed, more than two thirds perished in accidental home fires.

Statistics (for the year 2000) show that that the number of people killed by fire fell, to a 40-year low, but that malicious or deliberate fires rose by 8%, to 111,100.

In England and Wales, alone, the overall cost of arson to the economy is £2.1billion, mainly due to a 12% rise in the number of malicious vehicle fires : up to a record high of 70,800 - three times the 1990 figure.

The Arson Control Forum, which aims to cut arson by 30% by 2009, has already made £1m available to fire brigades to fund local arson-reduction initiatives.

Fire safety minister Alan Whitehead said:"I urge everyone to take fire safety seriously - fit, and maintain, a working smoke alarm, and take care in the kitchen, especially around chip pans. It can make all the difference in saving lives - and will drive these shocking statistics down even further."

Fire Alarms

Statistics also show that you are twice as likely to die in a fire without a working smoke alarm. Do you have them installed in your home?

Every year over 400 people die and a further 12, 500 are injured as a result of fires in the home. A working smoke alarm would have saved 270 of these lives. Despite the fact that smoke detectors are relatively cheap (costing less than £5) and easy to install, as well as saving lives, some 20% of homes still don't have them.

The recent £2.5m television campaign - to increase smoke alarm ownership and help prevent deaths and injuries caused by fire - launched by fire safety minister Alan Whitehead aims to combat the many excuses people use for not buying and installing smoke alarms with the slogan "Excuses kill. Get a smoke alarm".

At the launch Alan Whitehead said: "Every home should have at least one smoke alarm that works and through this campaign we are making sure that everyone knows how simple it is to buy and install this life-saving device."

The government has worked in partnership with local fire brigades, charities and the manufacturers and distributors of smoke alarms to develop the campaign. Actress Liz Smith, who plays the grandmother in TV comedy the Royle Family , supports the campaign, saying: "Fire spreads in minutes and smoke can kill in seconds, and older people can often be at risk. We need to highlight these facts if we want to make everyone aware that a correctly fitted smoke alarm can dramatically increase their chances of surviving a fire."

Lucky Escape

Smoke detectors literally made the difference between life and death for Aimee and Rattan Ghuman earlier this year, when a candle in their bathroom started a dangerous blaze. Rattan Ghuman, 20, had decided to take a bath in his home in Reading, Berkshire. He had lit a scented candle and placed tea-lights along the side of the plastic bath. Rattan extinguished the candle and snuffed out the tea-lights when he got out. Unknown to Rattan, however one of the tea lights did not quite go out.

Later that evening, whilst Rattan and Aimee were watching TV, the smoke alarm in the hall began to sound. "Since we moved into the flat in January the alarm had never sounded, not even as a result of cooking, so Rattan and I were immediately suspicious." Said Aimee (20) "We just assumed it must be something happening in the kitchen, either I'd left a gas ring on or there might have been a dish forgotten in the oven. I never thought for a moment there could be a fire in the bathroom."

The couple spotted smoke coming from the bathroom, immediately left their house and phone the fire brigade. Sub Officer Andy Ginn, who attended the fire, said, "The fire started from a tea light on the side of the bath. As the bath was plastic, it started to melt very quickly and produced a tremendous amount of smoke. As in most people's bathrooms, there were a number of aerosol products in there; this fire had the potential to be explosive. The smoke alarm in the hall definitely saved the Ghuman's from a very nasty and dangerous fire."

Party Danger

Presents, parties, hats and decorations - these are the things that are on most people's minds around birthdays, Christmas and at New Year. However people should also spare a thought for the extra fire risks that times of celebration can bring.

These times of celebration can leave you and your loved ones more vulnerable to fire. When you're relaxed or distracted and there may be more people than usual in your home. Party lights, Christmas trees, decorations, even a flaming Christmas pudding can increase the risk from fire in the home.

Festive Domestic Fires

There are 174 fires a day and 40 people are killed in domestic fires during December and there are twice as many candle fires – which makes fire safety at Christmas more important than ever.

Sir Graham Meldrum, HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services, says: "Christmas is a wonderful time of year and it's important to remember that you can still have a great time with friends and family and be safe. Most fires in the home can be easily avoided by following simple fire safety advice. And always make sure you have a working smoke alarm on each level in your home."

Here's a reminder of a few simple precautions to help keep you celebrating safely:

Don't leave 'fairy lights' switched on when you go out or go to bed

Don't overload plug sockets

Never leave candles unattended

Put candles in proper holders so they can't fall over

Keep decorations, cards and wrapping paper away from candles, open fires and heaters

Make sure smokers put their cigarettes right out

Take extra care after drinking alcohol

Make your plan. Get out alive - Will everyone (including house guests) know where door and window keys are kept?

Don't be distracted when cooking - fires start when your attention stops

The Facts of Fire

In the UK there are:

5,400 accidental domestic fires during December

174 fires a day in December

40 fire deaths in December

1,200 injured during December

331 candle fires during December compared to about 150 during other months

In 2000, there were 2,000 candle fires resulting in 10 deaths and nearly 900 injuries

Every year, over 400 people are killed in domestic dwelling fires

Up to 12,500 people are injured in house fires

On average 270 of the people killed in fires each year didn't have a smoke alarm

Half of all the deaths in home fires happen between 10pm and 8am

A quarter of all people who die in home fires were asleep at the time

Over the last five years, more than 70 people have been killed each year because their smoke alarms didn't work - usually because the battery was flat or missing

Households headed by young people (16 - 24 yrs) have the highest chance of experiencing domestic fire

Accidents whilst cooking account for 59% of fires making the kitchen the most common location for domestic fires

The largest single cause of accidental fire death is from the careless handling and disposal of cigarettes

The most common cause of death in a fire incident is being overcome by smoke or gas (46%)

Further information on fire safety can be found here.

Check Your Alarms

To protect yourself and your family, smoke detectors are vital. But it's not just a matter of buying and installing them, then forgetting all about you smoke alarms. Regular maintenance and planning are also key.

More than 18 million Britons fail to make adequate checks that their home smoke alarm is working, despite government advice that smoke detectors should be tested on a monthly basis, according to recent research.

Only 48% of those who have a smoke alarm installed in their homes say they tested it in the last month, while a total of 13% - around 4.5 million - say they've never tested it or last checked it over a year ago.

Even though 78% of the adult population (35 million people) say they have a smoke detector installed in their home, a MORI survey has revealed that only 23% have a fire escape plan for their homes.

Worryingly, the survey found that in 14% of cases where an alarm failed to operate, it was because the alarm was broken or there were no batteries present.

The government advises that all households test their smoke alarms every month, check the batteries regularly and buy a new smoke alarm if in any doubt (multiple alarms for two and three storey buildings - one on each 'landing' are also a must). It is also important to make an escape plan in case of a fire and make sure all member of the household are familiar with it. This includes not only rehearsing your routes out of a building should there be a fire, but also simple things like knowing where your house keys are at all times so that you don't have to go searching in an emergency should you need to unlock a door or doors, the provision of fire extinguishers and the relocating of flammable items (paint, spirits, thinners etc...) and equipment (tumble driers - often prone to generate large amounts of heat and the seat of numerous fires according to studies published in Which? magazine) from cellars to secure outbuildings or garages.

Above all, remember what the fire brigade always say: get out, get the fire brigades out and stay out.

For more information on fire prevention in the home the following links might be useful:

The Fire Prevention Handbook

Fire Kills Campaign

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