Record number of fire deaths occurred in Finland in 2004

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A survey of casualties caused by fire over a period of 25 years shows that last year saw a record number of fatalities from fires in Finland.
      A total of 115 people died in fires up and down the country.
     
A majority of the casualties involved middle-aged or older men. The most common cause of deaths was asphyxiation by smoke and poisonous gases after the victim had first been smoking in bed and had then fallen asleep. In many cases, heavy use of alcohol was involved in the situation.
      Director Matti Orrainen, of the Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK), estimates that the difference in the numbers of fire deaths in Finland compared with other countries can be explained by the heavy use of alcohol and related alienation of many single men in Finland.
     
Apparently, the growing figures for alcohol consumption are related to the increase in fire casualties.
      According to statistics collected by SPEK, the total number of 115 casualties in 2004 involved 85 men, 27 women, and three children. Two victims could not be identified.
      In relation to the number of inhabitants, there is a distinct difference in the numbers of fire casualties between Finland and other Nordic countries. Moreover, compared with many other Western countries, there is a multiple difference in the numbers.
      For example, while there are 19 fire deaths per one million inhabitants in Finland annually, the figure for Norway is 17, for Sweden 14, for Austria nine, and it is only four in Switzerland.
     
On the other hand, smoke detectors helped over 100 people to be rescued from fire last year, according to SPEK.
      "In more than every second case it was a neighbour or a passer-by who had heard the sound of the alarm and made an emergency call", says Orrainen.
      While there is a smoke detector in nearly all households in Finland, only one in five people are reported to check the operating status of the detector once a month as recommended.
     
The increase in the number of fire casualties can partly be explained by the fact that people have neglected checking their smoke detectors and changing the batteries.
      Orrainen suggests that the rescue plans of apartment houses should include a general change of the batteries of all smoke detectors once a year. Building owners or landlords would be responsible for the operation. This would protect particularly the elderly residents.
      Furthermore, Orrainen notes that Finnish homes are not sufficiently prepared to extinguish fires. Four households out of ten have no fire-fighting equipment whatsoever.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Fire deaths increase - smoking in bed most common cause (25.10.2004)

Links:
  The Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK)

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