Smoking
Nationally fires caused by smoking materials resulted in the second highest number of fire injuries.
Most of these fires were caused by people carelessly discarding or not extinguishing cigarettes properly, or by smoking in bed, this causes 75% of all smoking-related fires. Matches and lighters start the rest.
These fires are slightly more likely to occur at night. Around 25% happen between 10pm and 3am. Men are twice as likely to be victims of smoking related fires as women. Age is not a major factor. Children are often injured (but rarely killed) in these fires.
The sitting room and the bedroom are the main danger sites, with the sitting room twice as dangerous. Sleeping and inattention are clearly key issues.
Safety messages
- Keep lighters and matches away from children.
- Use a proper ashtray, never tap your ash in to a wastepaper basket.
- Don’t empty hot ashtrays in to bins, leave them until they are cold before emptying.
- Don’t leave lit smoking materials laying about they could tip and set light to furnishings.
- Don’t smoke if you are tired or have had a drink as you could fall asleep whilst the cigarette is still burning.
