- Title:
-
Fire Incidents Resulting in Deaths of New Zealand Children Aged Under 15 Years 1991-1997
- Date:
- September 2001
- Organisations
- NZFS
- Authors:
- Mavis Duncanson, Clint Ormsby, Papaarangi Reid, John Langley, and Alistair Woodward
- Location:
- New Zealand, New Zealand
Overview
In this report a methodology is outlined for collating fire fatality data from the Fire Incident Recording System and New Zealand Health Information Service and linking with coroners’ files to provide a comprehensive account of fire-related deaths in New Zealanders under 15 years in domestic fire incidents.
The study finds:
- High risk rates for males, and particularly Maori.
- The most common heat sources involved in fatalities among children are lighters and matches.
- While most fatalities occurred in permanent private dwellings, a significant number are found to have occurred in temporary accommodation.
- A significant identified risk factor is when children are either visiting an unfamiliar house, or there are visitors to the family home.
- Operating smoke alarms were not present in nearly every incident involving fatalities among children.
