People ‘must act to avoid fire risk’

FIRE safety legislation and regulations will not work if people don’t take personal prevention measures to avoid the risk of fire, it was claimed yesterday.

The chief executive of the National Safety Council, Pat Costello, issued a general warning about the increased dangers of domestic fires at Christmas. Although provisional figures suggest the number of fire-related deaths in 2003 will have fallen from last year’s total of 62, Mr Costello said many of the 43 deaths which had been documented so far this year up to Christmas were preventable.

“Prevention is the key and that should be everyone’s first priority,” he said.

He encouraged people to be more aware of fire risks and hazards in their own home, especially as 90% of all fire-related deaths occur in dwellings between 9pm and 9am.

Mr Costello said there were added risks associated with fire during the Christmas holidays, in part due to carelessness caused by alcohol abuse.

He pointed out that there was greater use of cooking, heating and lighting devices during the winter months.

“Every fire has a cause and most often there’s a common sense, simple method of prevention. Carelessness with regard to open fireplaces, heaters, cookers, grill pans, electric blankets and smoking are the leading causes of fire deaths and injuries,” said Mr Costello.

“Prevention is the key but in the knowledge that all fires will not be prevented, it is essential that every household has an effective system to detect fire outbreak at an early stage making safe evacuation a simple task.”

Mr Costello expressed concern that only an estimated 65% of homes have installed smoke alarms, and that not all of those are operational.

He also advised people to watch out for elderly relatives, particularly those living alone, who were more vulnerable to fire because of their isolation, low levels of income and diminished mobility.

In the event of fire, Mr Costello said everyone should ensure their safe escape as an absolute priority.

In cases where somebody tries to tackle a small fire, he said people should take extra precaution that they never cut off their exit from a building.

Victims of house fires

May 4: Mother-of-two Lorraine Sheehan, 25, and her son, Glenn, three, died after a fire broke out in their home in Churchfield Gardens, Cork city.

The dead woman’s partner, Richard O'Neill, and the couple's daughter, Caitlin, two, escaped from the house.

August 8: Donal and Una O’Neill, both aged in their early 80s, died after a fire broke out in their sitting room at Chapel Road, Crossmolina, Co Mayo. Neighbours tried to save the couple but were beaten back by the smoke. The couple had nine grown up children.

September 22: Three members of one family lost their lives in a fire at a farmhouse at Annagh, near Castlemaine, Co Kerry.

John Daly, 66, Mary Daly, 57, and Shane Daly, 24, were killed.

When neighbours reached the house at 8.30am on Sunday, September 22, it was in flames and the roof had fallen in.

November 10: A fire that gutted a family home in minutes claimed the lives of a 39-year-old man and his two young daughters in Dundalk, Co Louth.

Eddie Walls, 39, and his daughters, Teresa, three, and 18- month-old Natasha died in the blaze.

Neighbours were unable to save the victims.