Fatal and non-fatal fire injuries in England 1995-2004: Time trends and inequalities by age, sex and area deprivation

Mulvaney, C.; Towner, Elizabeth; Kendrick, D.; Brussoni, M.; Powell, Jane; Hayes, M.; Robertson, S.; Ward, H.

Abstract

Aim
To examine time trends and deprivation gradients in fire-related deaths and injuries.

Methods
A cross-sectional study and time trend analysis using data on fire casualties in England between 1995 and 2004 obtained from the Department for Communities and Local Government. Injury rates were calculated assuming a Poisson distribution. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare changes in deprivation gradients over time.

Results
There were significant reductions in fatal and non-fatal fire injuries in children (fatal injuries IRR χ21 = 11.18, P < 0.001; non-fatal injuries IRR χ22 = 61.44, P < 0.001), adults (fatal injuries IRR χ21 = 15.99, P < 0.001; non-fatal injuries IRR χ22 = 183.25, P < 0.001) and older people (fatal injuries IRR χ21 = 56.88, P < 0.001; non-fatal injuries IRR χ22 = 54.09, P < 0.001) between 1995 and 2004. Adult and child fire deaths were most commonly caused by smokers' materials (e.g. cigarettes, cigars and tobacco), and cigarette lighters and matches, respectively. Cooking appliances caused most non-fatal fire injuries. Injury rates increased with increasing levels of deprivation and deprivation gradients did not change over 10 years.

Conclusions
Fire prevention interventions should promote the safe use of cooking and heating appliances and the responsible use of smokers' materials, lighters and matches, and should target those at greater risk of fire, including the socially disadvantaged.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2009
• Journal: Journal of Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1741-3842
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-3850
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 154-161
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdn103
• Keywords: fire injuries, England, time trends, inequalities, age, sex, area deprivation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1020584
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdn103