Almost 50 people a year die in fires, figures reveal

FIRE has claimed the lives of 646 people since 1990 including 52 fatalities last year, the latest National Safety Council (NSC) figures reveal.

Although last year's figures show a decline of 16% in fire-related deaths compared to 2001, the annual death toll has remained relatively constant in the last 12 years at an average of just under 50 deaths each year.

According to the NSC, the vast majority of fire victims died from smoke inhalation and the elderly were most at risk from fire.

A quarter of all fatalities were over 65 years of age. To date this year, seven people have died in fires five of those were over 65.

Furthermore, elderly males were found to be most at risk. A total of 67% of all fire deaths were male and those males aged over 50 remain the group most at risk of dying in a fire, the NSC said.

NSC chief executive Pat Costello welcomed the reduction in deaths and called for householders to act responsibly to prevent further fatalities. "Evidence from previous years tells us that tragically most of these fire deaths were avoidable and probably could have been prevented if a working smoke alarm had been present in the home," he said.

The NSC attributed the decrease in last year's figures to a fall in the number of fire deaths in the greater Dublin area from 26 in 2001 to just 16 in 2002. Despite this drop, almost 31% of fatalities in 2002 took place in Dublin City and County.

After Dublin, Louth recorded the highest number of deaths with seven fatalities, followed by Mayo with six. Cork and Kerry each recorded five fire deaths.

Mr Costello urged all householders to install smoke alarms saying the measure would substantially reduce deaths.

He said: "Prevention is the key and all households should ensure all potential risks or sources of fire outbreak are eliminated and good fire safety habits are adopted by everybody in the home. Smoke alarms are the final line of defence against fire fatalities and international research shows a working smoke alarm reduces the risk of death in a fire by nearly 50%."

The NSC recommends two smoke alarms be located on ceilings in the hall and on the landing although larger homes require more.