Tobacco.org

Poverty, drink and smoking mean Scots twice as likely to die in fires 

SCOTS are twice as likely to die in a fire than people living in the rest of the UK, according to a new report.

The study found that, in many instances, smoking, alcohol, deprivation and living alone were major factors in the number of house fires.

It was commissioned by the Scottish Government following a 62 per cent rise in the number of people killed in fires in Scotland between 2006-07 and 2007-08.

The survey showed that of 171 fatal fire incidents analysed over a three-year period, 131 were recorded as accidental house fire deaths. The most common causes were discarded cigarettes (54) and cooking appliances (28). Alcohol was a contributory factor in 81 of the 131 cases

The study group, chaired by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue's chief officer Brian Sweeney, has now made dozens of recommendations aimed at curbing the number of preventable deaths.

Jump to full article »