16 January 2012 - Fire Service warns of the need for a working smoke detector after busy festive period
Whilst many of us will have already forsaken our New Year resolutions Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service (LBFRS), has a simple suggestion for one that is easy to fulfil and may save your life.
The Service is urging people to make 2012 the year that they ensure their home has a working smoke alarm. The plea comes after a particularly busy festive period for LBFRS which saw firefighters respond to 94 fires and deal with 30 casualties over a 15-day period from 19 December to 2 January 2012.
Community Safety Manger at Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, Geoff Aird, said:
“In the run up to the festive period we did a lot of work to make people aware that research shows fires over the festive season increase significantly. We know that accidental house fires rise by 20% and fire casualties rise by 33%. You are statistically more at risk at this time of year.
“Sadly this was borne out by our experience over the Christmas period. Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders recorded 94 accidental dwelling house fires and 30 casualties in just 15 days.
“The figures, taken between the 19th December 2011 and 2nd January 2012 show that Edinburgh was worst hit with 54 fires, resulting in 24 people injured.
“A severe fire at a tenement on Smithfield Street on Christmas Eve resulted in firefighters rescuing 15 casualties, six of whom required hospital treatment.
“West Lothian had the second highest number of fires over the period with 19 incidents; however, those affected luckily escaped injury.”
Cooking was the main cause of the fires (23 incidents) with matches, lighters and candles sparking 19 blazes, faulty wiring or electrics causing 17 incidents and smoking materials 11.
Geoff Aird continued: “This was an extremely busy time for our firefighters and Control Room staff, as well as these fires our crews were also out serving the community in a community safety role and responding to other non-fire related emergencies such as road traffic collisions, rescues and providing a response to weather related incidents.
“Once again the causes of these fires are all too familiar to us and we cannot stress enough the importance of having a working smoke detector and exercising caution whilst cooking, smoking and using matches and cigarette lighters at home.
“Many fires are entirely preventable. Why not make it your New Year’s resolution to book a free home safety visit? Make sure your family have done all they can to protect themselves from fire. Just call 0800 169 0320 to arrange a visit and local firefighters will arrange an appointment to come and fit your free smoke alarm and give you fire safety advice specific to your own home. It could be the best decision you make all year.”
Notes:
Breakdown by area
|
Area |
Number of fires |
Number of rescues |
Number of injuries |
| West Lothian |
19 |
0 |
0 |
| East Lothian |
7 |
1 |
1 |
| Midlothian |
8 |
4 |
4 |
| Scottish Borders |
6 |
1 |
1 |
| Edinburgh |
54 |
25 |
24 |
Causes of fires
|
Cooking related |
23 |
| Matches, cigarette lighters and candles |
19 |
| Faulty wiring or electrics |
17 |
| Smoking materials |
11 |
Ages of casualties
|
Child (0-15) |
1 |
| (16-24) |
1 |
| (25- 39) |
15 |
| (40 – 59) |
5 |
| (60+) |
8 |
Enquiries: Ruth MacLeod, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, Tel: 0131 228 2401
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