- Title:
-
Fire Incidents Resulting in Deaths of New Zealanders Aged 15-64 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 aged between 15 and 64 years in domestic fire incidents.
The study finds:
- High risk rates for males, and particularly Maori.
- The most common fire scenarios are unattended cooking materials igniting on a stove top or in an oven, and smoking materials igniting combustibles.
- Alcohol is a probable factor in most of the fatal incidents for this age group.
- Another significant factor identified in the study is disruption to usual routine for the deceased, including attendance at a social function, returning home after midnight, being away from home or having overnight guests.
- Other identified risk factors are temporary accommodation, and the absence of smoke alarms.
