Scottish Government must do everything they can to reduce fire deaths and injuries

The Scottish Government has published an overview of fire statistics for Scotland over the last ten years. The figures show that alcohol and drugs are thought to have contributed to 16% of the total of accidental fires.

They also showed that in 49% of house fires there was either no smoke alarm present, or one that was not working. In the incidents where this was the case it lead to 46% of non-fatal casualties and 38% of fatalities.

Commenting on the figures, Scottish Conservative Health Spokesman Murdo Fraser MSP said:

"Drugs and alcohol play a part in starting a huge number of fires in Scotland every year and it essential that we reduce this figure as soon as possible. Fire crews use a significant amount of resources having to deal with the consequences of these fires and the sooner we can start tackling this problem, the sooner we can alleviate some of the pressure from them.

"It is concerning that in nearly half of overall house fires there was either no smoke alarm, or one that didn't work. Early detection of fires would not only see a drop in the number of fatalities but also the number of casualties of fires. When smoke alarms can be installed and maintained so easily it is important that they are used in every home.

"The current number of deaths and injuries caused by fires is far too high and the Scottish Government must do all that they can to reduce these numbers."

The report can be found here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/10/25164018/0

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