Ivor Callely
Question:281 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the causes of house fires in Ireland; the measures, if any, in place to reduce these fires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20409/97]
Written Answers. - House-Fires.
Information available from fire authorities in respect of fires attended by fire brigades indicates that chimney fires are the most common cause of domestic fires. Other significant causes indicated concern the use of electrical appliances for cooking and heating, electrical wiring, and mishaps in regard to children playing with matches, fires and cigarrette lighters. This information indicates also that the incidence of fires in domestic buildings is decreasing. While there was an annual average of 17,130 such fires in the 1980s, this had dropped to an average of 14,523 so far in the 1990s.
The causes of house fires indicates that better awareness of the dangers of fire and of fire hazards, together with simple common sense fire prevention practices on the part of householders, can do much to prevent such fires and alleviate the consequent tragic fatalities and injuries. Accordingly, the National Safety Council actively encourages fire safety in the home as part of its ongoing fire safety education and publicity campaigns such as the recent National Fire Safety Week. I understand that the focus of its pre-Christmas media campaign will be on the main fire dangers at Christmas; this campaign is to run from 11 to 24 December.
Particular stress has been placed in media campaigns on the routine tasks to be carried out nightly to guard against fire and on the value of smoke alarms which, if properly installed and maintained, can provide early warning of fire. In addition, local authorities have been asked by my Department to consider the provision of smoke alarms in all their rented dwellings.
The building regulations set out detailed requirements in relation to the fire precautions to be provided for in the design and construction of dwellings and where material alterations or changes of use are being made.
A series of codes of practice and guidelines have been issued by my Department in recent years giving advice on fire safety to assist persons in charge of places of assembly, hotels and guest-houses, flats and apartments, and nursing homes. Work is continuing on the preparation of further guidance.